The Covid-induced recession has been used across the world to justify massive increases in debt-funded government spending, as well as cheap easy credit. Such actions have definitely helped businesses survive in the short term, though the sums paid out have been massive. Crown Casinos, for example, reported receiving $111 million in Jobkeeper subsidies from March to June 2020, while (the also loss-making) Qantas reportedly pocketed around US$780 million during 2020. Even the smallest businesses on Jobkeeper have received thousands of dollars a month, and countless businesses have had the taxpayer cover most of their wage costs.
Tax-free cash flow boosts of between $20,000 and $100,000 were also paid to virtually all small and medium-sized businesses with employees. They got the money automatically when they lodged their BAS, and didn t even need to apply.