Today I spoke with ABC 891 regarding the concerns I have about the Government's proposed changes to bus services

I welcome the RAA's report regarding safety issues and freight on the South Eastern Freeway

Support from the Australian Government

 If you employ staff, you may be eligible for:

JobKeeper payments for your employees

• If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you will be able to access a wages subsidy to continue paying your employees.
• Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months.
• This assistance will help you keep staff and will help you restart when the crisis is over.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

Temporary cash flow support

• Employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000 and the minimum payment increased from $2,000 to $10,000.
• An additional payment is also being introduced equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received. This means that eligible businesses will receive at least $20,000 up to a total of $100,000 under both payments. Not-for-profit entities will also be eligible.
• The payment will be delivered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a credit in the activity statement system from 28 April 2020 upon businesses lodging eligible upcoming activity statements.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Boosting-cash-flow-for-employers

Casual employees

• If you employ a casual employee and they can’t work because they become sick or need to self-isolate, or their income has been otherwise impacted by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, they may be eligible for income support payments (also see JobKeeper payment information above)
• The Government is making these payments quicker to access by waiving the usual waiting period in certain circumstances. Information on income support is available on the Services Australia website.

More information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19/people-who-dont-get-payment-from-us-coronavirus-covid-19

Other employees affected by COVID-19

• If your staff are impacted by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, they may be eligible for income support payments. Information on income support is available on the Services Australia website.

More information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

SME Guarantee Scheme & Supporting Flow of Credit

• This will provide businesses with funding to meet immediate cash flow needs, by further enhancing lenders’ willingness and ability to provide credit.
• Under the Scheme, the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs. Businesses with a turnover of up to $50 million will be eligible to receive these loans.
• The Government will provide eligible lenders with a guarantee for loans with the following terms:
• Maximum total size of loans of $250,000 per borrower.
• The loans will be up to three years, with an initial six-month repayment holiday.
• The loans will be in the form of unsecured finance, meaning that borrowers will not have to provide an asset as security for the loan.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Supporting_the_flow_of_credit_1.pdf

If you're a sole trader you may be eligible for:

JobKeeper payments

• If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you may be able to access a wages subsidy.
• Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months.

More information: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

The increased instant asset write-off

• Under normal circumstances, individual assets less than $30,000 are eligible for the instant asset write off. The Government has lifted this threshold to $150,000 for assets that are either installed or ready for first use by 30 June 2020.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/instant-asset-write-off

Accelerated depreciation deduction arrangements (Backing Business Investment)

• A time limited 15-month investment incentive (through to 30 June 2021) to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions.
• Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset’s cost.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/backing-business-investment-bbi

  Increased and accelerated income support

• The Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight.
• This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories. These changes will apply for the next six months.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Increased-and-accelerated-income-support

Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries

• The Government has created an initial $1 billion support fund to provide assistance to industries and regions severely affected by the economic impacts of coronavirus.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Assistance-for-severely-affected-regions-communities-and-industries

Additional support for businesses

Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses

• There is a temporary increase to the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive.
• This includes temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent and providing temporary flexibility in the Corporations Act 2001 to provide temporary and targeted relief from provisions of the Act.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/temporary-relief-for-financially-distressed-businesses

Support for existing government program participants and applicants

• If you're an existing government program grantee and have been impacted by the coronavirus, you may be eligible to seek additional time to meet your reporting obligations or to complete your project.

More information: https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/support-for-existing-government-program-participants-and-applicants

Australian Taxation Office

• The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is providing relief for some tax obligations for businesses affected by the outbreak, on a case-by-case basis. Contact the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline for businesses on 1800 806 218for more information or to request this help.

More information: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Dealing-with-disasters/In-detail/Specific-disasters/COVID-19/

 Government’s Business Hotline

• Government’s Business Hotline - 13 28 46 / business.gov.au - will be expanded to provide specialist advisers and extended hours to support small and medium businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Department of Treasury and Finance COVD-19 Hotline (02) 6263 3030

• Call this line if you are seeking information about the implementation of the cash flow assistance and investment support for business (this line operates Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm AEST).

Small Business Commissioner

• The Small Business Commissioner is working with the Government, which is considering and implementing measures to support the South Australian community. Businesses facing particular issues or disputes in terms of their banks, their rental premises, suppliers or other business parties are encouraged to contact the Commissioner on 08 8303 2026 or 1800 072 722.

Fair Work Ombudsman

• The Fair Work Ombudsman has a help line to deal with pay and industrial relations matters. Call 13 13 94 or visit their website fairwork.gov.au.

Australian banks

• The Australian Banking Association has announced that Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for 6 months.

For more information, see https://www.ausbanking.org.au/banks-small-business-relief-package/

• Please contact your own bank or financial institution for more information on assistance they can provide.

Continuing your business

• Learn about the positive steps you can take to keep your business operating and where to go for help.

Please visit https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/continuing-your-business

For updated information and advice on Australian Government  support measures, please visit
https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

Support from the South Australian Government

$10,000 Emergency Cash Grants for Small Business

• Small businesses and not-for-profit entities that employ South Australians who have been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant to support the operation of their business.
• The cash grants will be available to help cover a business’ ongoing or outstanding operating costs, such as rent, power bills, supplier and raw materials costs and other fees.
• To be eligible, businesses and not-for-profits including eligible sporting and community organisations will need to:
  • Employ people in South Australia.
  • Have annual turnover of more than $75,000 (GST exclusive).
  • Have an annual payroll of less than $1.5 million, and not be entitled to a payroll tax waiver  under COVID-19 support measures introduced by the South Australian Government.
  • Have an ABN and were carrying on the operation of the business in South Australia on 1 March 2020.
  • Have been subject to closure or highly impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions^.
  • Apply by 1 June 2020.
  • Use the funds to support activities related to the operation of the business.

• If the business has received any South Australian Government grants provided to address COVID-19 related business impacts, the value of these payment(s) will be deducted from the $10,000 grant.
• If the business is part of a group of companies that is registered for payroll tax and will receive the payroll tax waiver, the business is ineligible for this grant.

• Applications for the grant will open shortly and be available until 1 June 2020.
• If you would like to register your interestfor the grant please visit this website. You will receive an email when the application process opens.

_{^ Businesses eligible for the Commonwealth JobKeeper payment will be deemed to be highly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.}

Payroll tax relief

• 6-month waiver for all businesses with an annual payroll (grouped) up to $4 million
• Eligible businesses won’t have to pay any payroll tax from April to September 2020
• This measure is expected to assist up to 2,400 businesses and save them up to $84,000 over the six months (average saving $25,000)
• Employers with grouped annual wages above $4 million able to defer payroll tax payments for 6 months on demonstration of significant impacts on cash flow of coronavirus

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Land tax relief

• From July, the Government’s land tax reforms will kick in
• Under the new measures, individuals and businesses with outstanding quarterly bills for 2019-20 can defer payments for 6 months (up to 28,000 private land tax ownerships will benefit)
• For 2020-21 Land Tax Transition Fund relief will be increased from 50% to 100% based on existing relief criteria guidelines – saving some investors up to $50,000

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Emergency land tax relief

• Eligible landlords will be offered a 25 per cent reduction on their 2019-20 land tax liability on affected properties. Landlords will be required to pass on the full benefit to their tenants impacted by COVID-19 restrictions
• More information and applications for this land tax relief can be submitted by the end of June 2020 at www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/ltcovid19relief

Rent

• A 6-month moratorium on evictions due to unpaid rent arising from severe financial distress as a result of the pandemic is in place
• There is also a temporary freeze on rent increases for the private market

Waiver of liquor licence fees

• Liquor licence fees will be waived for 2020-21 for those hotels, restaurants, cafes and clubs forced to close as a result of new social distancing restrictions

More information: https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support/Economic-response-package

Business and Jobs Support Fund

• A $300 million fund to support individual businesses and industry sectors directly affected by coronavirus, and face potential collapse – and the loss of thousands of jobs – as a result
• For more information on how to apply for the Fund, please email: BusinessandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Community and Jobs Fund

• A $250 million fund to support community organisations, sporting, arts and recreational bodies, non-profit organisations as well as some industry sectors whose operations have been impacted by the coronavirus
• This Fund will also help with the training of South Australians seeking new skills and employment and to assist organisations meet increased demand for services including emergency relief.

• For more information on how to apply for the Fund, please email: CommunityandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Employees affected by COVID-19

• There will be a once-off boost of $500 and the bringing forward of the 2020-21 ‘Cost of Living Concession’ for households who are receiving the Centrelink JobSeeker Payment, assisting those who are unemployed or lose their jobs as a result of the coronavirus restrictions
• For eligible homeowners, their 2020-21 payment of $215.10 will now become $715.10. Eligible tenants will receive $607.60.

$350m stimulus package from the South Australian Government

• The $350 million stimulus package aims to safeguard the state’s economy and minimise the economic impacts of the COVID-19 global crisis. This state-wide response includes road and hospital upgrades, new tourism infrastructure and an expanded Economic and Business Growth Fund to support local industry.
• Projects to be funded under the Government’s economic stimulus package must meet certain criteria, including the ability to start works within a short period of time, they must be labour-intensive and/or require significant local purchasing of materials, services and supplies.
• The State Government is also working with councils to deliver $50 million of local projects that will support local jobs and local businesses.

Further information on the Economic and Business Growth Fund can be found at: https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/economic-and-business-growth-fund

For updated information on South Australian Government  support measures, please visit
https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support

As part of the 2018/2019 State Budget, funding for a feasibility study into the Craigburn Farm Western Bypass was allocated. This was a partnership project between the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the City of Mitcham Council.

To view the Craigburn Farm Western Bypass Feasibility Study copy and paste this link into a web browser: https://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/future-city/key-projects/craigburn-farm-western-bypass-feasibility-study

This study forms the initial stages for investigating the feasibility for a Western Bypass.

The recommendations from the study are not representative of the formal positions of either the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure or of the City of Mitcham.

If you would like to discuss the study, please contact my office by calling 8278 5844 or via email at waite@parliament.sa.gov.au.

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (15:06): I rise today to speak about the Autism Intervention Program at Blackwood Primary School and Blackwood High School. Autism SA reports that autism, and related disorders, is the most common primary disability across all NDIS trial sites, representing one-third of participants nationally. Growth in diagnosis in South Australia has been a consistent trend for many years, with Autism SA's 2015-16 annual report noting that there were 1,195 new diagnoses in the state during this period, representing a nearly 10 per cent increase on the previous year.

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (11:46): I begin by putting on the record my congratulations to the member for Bright on his hard work in this policy development on this side of the house. I know that he will make a fantastic and very diligent minister for the environment in a future Liberal government. This is about the vision that we are seeing here on this side of the house, and this is how you make good policy that is in the public interest because you do what is right for the people of South Australia. As I said, I would like to make a few comments about the importance of open space and the importance of open space in providing liveable communities in South Australia.

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (15:19): Today, I rise to speak on a very important issue in my community, and that is about being bushfire ready. In 2016, South Australia experienced its wettest winter. In 2017, many parts of the state have experienced below average rainfall. As we head into the 2017-18 bushfire season, the combination of an abundant growth of fine fuel caused by last year's rain and reduced moisture this year has resulted in many areas of above normal fire potential.

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (16:19): I rise today to acknowledge, with great sadness and respect, the passing of Dr Bob Coulthard AM. Dr Bob was truly an extraordinary man. The tributes that have flown from across Australia and around the globe are testament to the overwhelming respect and love for Dr Bob and recognition for his considerable achievements. In their tribute, Lions Australia notes:

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (20:46): I also rise to speak on the Statutes Amendment (Vehicle Inspections and South Eastern Freeway Offences) Bill 2017. As does everyone in this house, I welcome pragmatic measures to improve road safety. We are all too often faced with the tragic aftermath of road trauma for individuals, families, friends, first responders, emergency service personnel and the whole community. Anything we can do to reduce the number of accidents is certainly supported by those of us on this side of the house.

I recently posted my Mid Year 2017 Community Newsletter to every household in our local area.

In case you missed it, here is the digital version.