Business and Jobs Support Fund

80 The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (3 June 2020). As at 3 June 2020, what initiatives have already been approved to be funded from the $300 million business and jobs support fund?

(a) How much has been allocated to each initiative?

(b) As at 3 June 2020, how much has already been expended from the fund?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

As part of the government's second economic stimulus package valued at $650 million, $550 million was allocated to two new funds (business and jobs support fund and community and jobs support fund) established to support business, jobs and community organisations.

Initiatives with an estimated total value of around $265 million have been allocated against the business and jobs support fund. These are estimates only and the final cost of some measures may vary.

Business and Jobs Support Fund

(a) Originally $300 million was budgeted for this fund, and $250 million for the community and jobs support fund. Based on experience since the funds were established, $70 million of budget has been transferred from the community to the business fund.

(b) Includes provisions for rent relief for commercial tenants of government agencies, and support for regional airline and bus operations.

While numbers are still subject to year-end audit processes, it is estimated that as at 30 June 2020, $184 million had been expended from the fund.

A number of approvals for organisations made from the business and community jobs support funds focused on the immediate needs of those organisations to 30 June 2020. These and other organisations are able to seek further assistance in 2020-21 if required, with the government recognising that the easing of restrictions will impact businesses and community organisations differently. There is capacity in these funds to provide that support in 2020-21 if required.