Starting this week, the Coalition Government’s business hotline will give more support to small and medium businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed the announcement that operations at the business.gov.au 13 28 46 Contact Centre will increase to seven days per week, and provide additional hours of support outside standard operating hours, answering calls from 7am to 11pm AEST.

“I know it is a very difficult time right now for local businesses but the Coalition Government is committed to keeping local jobs and making sure local business stay open,” he said.

“We don’t want our businesses which are already experiencing the stress of trying to stay afloat and pay their staff to struggle to navigate the support on offer – so we’re taking this simple step. “The Government is committed to doing all we can to help our businesses get through this outbreak.”

Mr Pitt congratulated local businesses which have adapted under the current conditions.

“We have Bundaberg Rum which will produce and donate 100,000 litres of ethanol for hand sanitiser, many businesses across the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg region have started offering delivery, and a local Facebook page ‘Buy Local Buy From Bundaberg’ has been set up.”

A range of measures have been introduced to help businesses including a boost to cash flow, increasing the instant asset write-off threshold, a business investment incentive and wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees. For more information visit business.gov.au.