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The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) is urging its members to agree to no lease terminations for non-payment of rent for small to medium sized businesses. 

The organisation, whose members include Scentre Group, Stockland, Mirvac and the GPT Group, took this position as the impacts of COVID-19 take an aggressive toll on Australian retailers. 

SCCA chairman Peter Allan said that the council is also working with the government to enact further measures. 

"As we have stated consistently in our communications throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and this difficult period, we all have a role to play to help our retailers – especially our small to medium sized businesses – to get to the other side.

"We know that each of you are engaging directly with your retail partners and it is very important you continue to do so.

"We continue to work with the Federal Government on a suite of measures to provide additional support for small to medium sized businesses," he said. 

However, Allan said that it was disappointing to hear that some owners were not conducting business with compassion during this time. 

"We have been advised that governments have received direct feedback that some owners are not engaging with the empathy that is required during these times.

"This is surprising, and if correct, very disappointing and frustrating to hear.

"The SCCA asks members to ensure there are no lease terminations for non-payment of rent for small to medium sized businesses as we work through this period.

"It is vital that our industry, as a key part of the economy and our local communities, work collaboratively with government and our SME retailers to support their cashflow and jobs across the economy," he said. 

According to reports, the Federal Government is in consultation with State Governments on rental relief for businesses, with an official announcement expected to be released in the coming days. 

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