Victorian Government Announces New Hospitality & Event Business Support Package Amid Lockdown

The Victorian Government has announced support package for Victorian hospitality and events businesses amid the snap lockdown. 

Announced yesterday, the package - which is dubbed the Circuit Breaker Business Support Package - will include $250.7 million in grants for Victorian businesses affected by the lockdown. 

In a statement released by Acting Premier James Merlino, the support package will "help up to 90,000 Victorian businesses that have been affected by the restrictions that will run until 11:59pm on Thursday, 3 June", aimed particularly at "small to medium-sized businesses and sole traders". 

"The circuit-breaker action will keep Victorians safe and protect businesses and jobs – but we know it’s not easy shutting your doors and putting your plans on hold," said Merlino in a statement. 

"This support will help businesses pay the bills and maintain their workforce as best they can, as we work together to get through this challenge."

Included in this is an allocation of $20 million for the Victorian Events Support Package which is to be "dedicated to supporting operators in the events industry who have incurred losses due to the circuit-breaker restrictions". There is currently no additional information about this particular arm of the funding with the State Government advising that "more details to be provided shortly". 

A total of $40.7 million has been allocated to the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund which will "provide businesses holding an eligible liquor licence and food certificate with a $3,500 grant per premise". 

It is unclear at this stage whether the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will also be open to venues that operate primarily as live music venues. 

Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) executive general manager Craig Spann spoke to The Music in March this year about the confusion around what denotes a live music venue versus a hospitality venue in COVID Safe settings saying that "There is a lack of clarity around [this announcement] as to what it actually means, what defines an entertainment venue..." Read the full story here. 

Additional information for the Victorian Events Support Package is expected soon, stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.