While we move into another month of lockdown, we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel and we’re starting to hear about the pathways out of COVID-19 lockdown from many of the states and territories.

The global pandemic continues to have a heart-breaking effect on many small and family businesses.

It’s gut-wrenching to see so many small and family businesses doing it tough in Sydney, with the COVID lockdown now extended until at least the end of August. 

My thoughts are with small and family businesses in our two largest capital cities - Sydney, who are in the midst of an extended COVID lockdown, which we now know will last until at least the end of July, and sadly again in Victoria where a snap lockdown has just been declared. We must also remember those travel and visitor-dependent enterprises suffering due to movement limitations.

It is gut-wrenching to see so many small businesses in lockdown or restricted trading conditions as we face this latest outbreak of COVID-19.

May was a roller-coaster ride for those in small businesses. The highs felt at the beginning of the month with the Budget measures designed to boost small businesses, have been met with a month-end low, as another lockdown in Victoria was announced.

The Federal Government’s 2021 Budget is a clear acknowledgement that small and family businesses are central to the nation’s economic recovery and future prosperity.

April delivered a shock to the system for many small business food producers. An abrupt decision by Australia Post to cease delivery of perishable goods from June 30 understandably led to an outcry by small business food producers across the country.

Wow – what a month. Small business owners were forced to dig deep in March. Drawing upon the courage and resilience they have demonstrated in the past year, small businesses were once again facing incredible challenges. Many were impacted by severe flooding in NSW and some had to shut their doors due to the latest snap lockdown in Brisbane.