MEDIA RELEASE: R&CA welcomes support measures for tourism and small business
20 January 2020 | Media Release
Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) CEO Wes Lambert has today welcomed the Morrison Government’s twin announcements of a coordinated tourism recovery package and further support for small business affected by the bushfire crisis.
Mr Lambert said the announcement of an initial $76 million tourism recovery package is welcome news for our tourism indusrty. The provision of top-up grants to eligible small businesses of up to $50,000 plus interest free loans of up to $500,000 for affected businesses will be vitally important to help restaurants, cafes and caterers in bushfire affected areas rebuild.
“R&CA have been working with the Morrison Government through various consultations over the last week and have been putting forward practical solutions that will help small businesses across the hospitality industry survive this terrible bushfire crisis”, Mr Lambert said.
“93 per cent of restaurants, cafes and caterers across Australia are small businesses employing less than 19 people. I have no doubt that the announcements of new grants and concessional loans will help keep some of these businesses open where they would be at risk of shutting their doors forever.
“We said loud and clear this week that for businesses who are still able to trade, cashflow is of vital importance to keep the business afloat. To their credit the Morrison Government has listened to these concerns and acted decisively.
“Businesses who are not directly impacted by bushfires have also seen a signifincat drop in tourism revenue. R&CA belives the tourism recovery package will be critical to lure international and domestic tourists to Australia and let the world know we are still open for business", Mr Lambert said.
R&CA is the peak industry association representing the over 47,000 restaurants, cafes and caterers across Australia.
For further information on this media release, please contact:
Wes Lambert
Chief Executive Officer
Restaurant & Catering Industry Association
P: 1300 722 878 or 0488 579 888
E: wes@rca.asn.au
