Small businesses in northern Victoria, which played a crucial role in protecting regional Victorian towns during the October 2022 floods, have been left to bear the cost as the Andrews Labor Government fails to pay its bills.
Despite its commitment to paying invoices from small businesses within 10 days, the State Government has delayed payment for more than 90 days, leaving businesses with bills up to $100,000.
Minister for Small Business, Natalie Suleyman, was questioned in Parliament this week but failed to confirm whether the Andrews Labor Government’s Fair Payment Policy was still in place. This has left small businesses in limbo and struggling to recover from the floods.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said small businesses cannot afford to chase debts while still recovering from the devastating floods.
“To have the State Government delaying its payments to small businesses in those communities is putting additional and undue stress on business operators.
“The Minister for Small Business couldn’t even give Victorians a proper answer on whether or not the policy was still in place.”
Ms Cleeland has called on the Andrews Labor Government to settle its bills with small businesses in the 10-day timeframe it committed to.
“The Government should provide certainty to businesses rather than playing politics with their livelihoods,” she said.
“The small businesses of northern Victoria deserve the support and certainty they need to recover from the floods.
“The Andrews Labor Government must honour its commitment to the Fair Payment Policy and pay small businesses within the 10-day timeframe.”
