Victoria’s budget for 2021-22 has included increased stamp duty and land tax rates for “top-end” property owners, and measures for businesses impacted by snap lockdowns.
VIC Premier
The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed the return of Australia’s leading culinary event, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, to the state’s major events calendar.
After the 2020 festival did not proceed due to the global pandemic, the 2021 festival includes an expanded program throughout the year across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Now in its 29th year, the festival kicks off today with the World’s Longest Lunch at Treasury Gardens with more than 1,650 people set to enjoy dishes from local masters Stephanie Alexander, Philippe Mouchel and Jacques Reymond.
Guests will be supplied with a hit-list of post-lunch city bars to experience, which will help spread the benefits of the event to CBD businesses that are recovering steadily from the effects of the pandemic.
22 Feb 2021
New support has been announced for small businesses, including sole traders, most impacted by Victoria’s recent ‘circuit-breaker action’.
New $200 vouchers for travel in regional Victoria and Melbourne are being introduced to further bolster tourism businesses and workers, while licenced venues and accommodation businesses will receive dedicated new assistance.
The $143 million Circuit Breaker Support Package is expected to help more than 50,000 Victorian businesses, including restaurants and accommodation providers, who incurred costs during the snap five-day lockdown.
The package contains four initiatives targeted at businesses, including small and micro-businesses.
The new $92 million Business Costs Assistance Program will offer grants of $2,000 for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in the hospitality, food wholesaling, tourism, events, and selected retail industries.