Page 96 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 8 February 2022
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clear when we are talking about unemployment is that we are talking about very low unemployment numbers right across the country. That includes in the ACT.
The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which, again, did not exist when we emerged from lockdown, has meant the last few months have been far from what Canberrans, and especially our small business community, had hoped for. We have seen significant rates of community transmission and, sadly, since we last met in this place I believe there are 16 more Canberrans who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. This rate of transmission necessitated some changes, which are proportionate and balance the risk to our hospital system with the need for businesses to service our community and employ Canberrans. Our approach reintroduced some baseline public health measures, but we also reduced the time in which people needed to isolate, and our contact definitions were changed.
I want to acknowledge the way in which our small business community responded to this, as they have consistently over the past two years in complying with the evolving public health directions in a rapidly changing environment. For businesses like nightclubs, whose core business was sharply impeded by the measures, the ACT government is continuing to provide tailored support. We have continued to engage with the business community and sector leaders both one-on-one and in round tables, while the commonwealth federal Liberal government Treasurer has announced the end of support. It is from our engagement that we recently announced—as Ms Castley acknowledged—extending the closing date of the small business hardship scheme; extending the food business registration fee waiver; extending the annual licence fee waiver for liquor licences; and another half a million dollars for a second round of Amp It Up! later in 2022.
I do want to acknowledge that we have seen a number of businesses close over the two years of the pandemic, including some high-profile businesses in the past month. I am sorry to see these businesses go and we, of course, wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Some were Canberra institutions and have a very firm place in Canberrans’ hearts, with plenty of fantastic memories, but, of course, businesses rise and fall regardless of pandemics. I acknowledge that several of the businesses which have closed have done so because it was the right time for them.
For the 2020-21 financial year, the ABS data shows that the ACT had a 5.8 per cent increase in the number of businesses here—the largest percentage growth of any state or territory. This illustrates the underlying strength of the Canberra economy. The signs of a strong recovery are there, but I acknowledge that it has been a bumpy month for businesses who have had to deal with RAT shortages, staff shortages and a cautious community, in addition to it being the summer holidays. It is understandable that the community has been cautious when we have been dealing with very rapidly changing circumstances. People respond differently. When there is significant change, it makes sense that the community wants to see, perhaps, what the effects of these changes are, and it is worth reflecting just how much has changed in the past six weeks.
I acknowledge the Canberra Business Chamber’s survey. I commend the chamber for conducting the survey and for sharing it with us. There is no denying it; it is true that
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