National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb has welcomed the moves by the Queensland State Government to help small businesses, but has warned that the measures don't go far enough.
The state government has introduced payroll tax relief measures including refunds and deferments, as well as $500 rebates on electricity bills for all Queensland SMEs that consume less than 100,000 kilowatt hours.
Lamb said that while these measures are better than nothing, the Queensland Government needs to do more for smaller retailers.
"Payroll tax relief for all business is certainly a welcome measure, however, it only benefits those whose wage bill exceeds $1.3 million each financial year so small business requires more help.
"Rebates on power bills for sole traders and SMEs is better than nothing, but further assistance will be needed if we want to minimise the number of Queensland businesses lost during this period of unprecedented economic upheaval," she said.
Lamb adds that the NRA wants to see policies put in place that address rent and employee redundancy and leave.
"Should a second-round of stimulus from the Queensland Government be announced, the NRA would like to see greater rent relief measures to incentivise landlords to assist tenants, deferral of land tax payments in 2020 for small business, and the establishment of a business support fund for sectors hit the hardest.
"We would also like to see a comprehensive fund to assist workers who have lost their jobs.
"This would mean expanding the announcement to include industries that do not require people to move to other parts of the state.
"The Government should also provide special leave to workers who do not have annual leave or access to leave entitlements in Queensland and who cannot work as a result of being stood down or placed in quarantine due to Covid-19," she said.