Businesses smashed by the Omicron-fuelled spending slump across NSW could soon get a leg-up from taxpayers.
The state government is considering introducing a support package targeted at small and medium businesses struggling to survive as Omicron causes consumer spending and confidence to drop.
The plan has not yet been finalised, with NSW ministers discussing the details at a cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet promised earlier in the week that help was on the way.
“We’ve always, as a government, prioritised support for businesses and our workers before the budget,” he told reporters.
“I can assure business across the state, just like the last two years, we’ve got your back.”
The NSW Greens said the support should extend to nurses and paramedics as well.
“It’s a dereliction of his duty as Treasurer at this time that he’s not takingxjmtzyw a proposal for pandemic pay and bonuses for nurses as well,” Cate Faehrmann told NCA NewsWire.
“Our economy cannot survive without a functioning public health system.”
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the support package couldn’t come soon enough.
“Many businesses were hoping that they could make up for losses over the last few years, that hasn't been the case over the summer period,” he said.
“We need to make sure they keep their doors open, it’ll have a severe impact on the unemployment rate unless they get direct business support in the next few days.”
