The first phase of an economic survival package to protect local jobs and support households and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic has been announced by the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
Mr Barr said the economic impacts of the virus would be felt for years.
“The spread of COVID-19 is having a profound impact on the way of life in the Territory and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future,” Mr Barr said.
“It will require a phased response both before, during and after the anticipated peak in COVID-19 cases across Australia.”
He said the ACT would implement a range of measures to reduce cashflow pressures in the short term for low income households and local small and medium businesses in the industry sectors that were most impacted.
Mr Barr said stage one would see an injection of $137 million into the local economy, with rebates of $150 on residential rates and a freeze on a number of ACT Government fees and charges, including the fire and emergency services levy, public transport, vehicle registration and parking fees.
“Our priority in this first phase of economic support is to help our community through this incredibly difficult immediate period,” Mr Barr said.
“We must save as many local jobs as possible as our economy adjusts to the difficult decisions being made at the national level to flatten the transmission curve and support our healthcare system.”
He said further phases would be announced as the ACT transitioned through the different stages of the crisis.
“The Government will provide all appropriate resources to support ACT public health services to continue providing essential health services to the community and to respond to the additional demands of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Barr said.
“This includes funding for respiratory assessment clinics, an increase in inpatient beds and ICU capacity across the Territory, maintenance of COVID-19 testing capacity and the purchase of additional medical equipment and supplies,” he said.
