Geraldton and Mid West businesses fear for their survival as end of JobKeeper draws near

Businesses in Geraldton and the Mid West have voiced growing concerns for their survival once the JobKeeper scheme ends on September 27. The Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been speaking to local businesses and found a third were not confident their business could continue without the Federal subsidy. Chamber chief executive Joanne Fabling said it was clear regional businesses were more vulnerable than their metropolitan counterparts. “We really don’t know yet how the economic recovery will proceed after JobKeeper but the economic bounce-back will take longer in the regions,” she said. “The ‘holiday at home’ message has worked to an extent but some businesses here really rely on international tourism. Without that regional areas are really going to suffer. “There’s definitely concerns locally that September 27 is coming up sooner than most would like.” Results of a Statewide survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA indicated retail and hospitality businesses have the highest level of concern with 50 per cent not confident they can survive without JobKeeper. Australian Hotels Association of WA chief executive Bradley Woods said across WA JobKeeper had saved countless businesses and tens of thousands of jobs. “What we have been hearing from venues across the State for many months, is that the scheme has been a lifeline for many, but will be required until at least the end of the year if we are to prevent devastating job losses,” he said. “Failure to extend JobKeeper for the hospitality industry beyond September will have one in five businesses dismiss or reduce the hours of employment for between 50 and 100 per cent of their staff.” Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist Aaron Morey said results from the survey indicated support should be temporarily extended for those businesses continuing to suffer. “Ultimately, the best thing for the economy in the long run is for businesses to transition off JobKeeper,” he said. “At the same time, in the short term there is now clear evidence of the need for targeted support for parts of the WA business community.”