Hundreds of non-essential businesses have been barred from trading since midnight and will not be allowed to reopen until restrictions are lifted on Thursday.
Victoria began the first day of its seven-day lockdown on Friday – the fourth time that Melbourne had been shut down since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
The day was cold and cloudy, with ominously empty streets as people could only leave their homes for five reasons: food and supplies; authorised work; care and caregiving; exercise for a two-hour maximum; and to get vaccinated.
Following an anti-lockdown demonstration at Flinders St Station on Thursday night, Melbourne’s morning was obedient – empty – and it was not business as usual. The effects of lockdown were not unusual for the city of Melbourne, but this time, shops were shut without any form of JobKeeper assistance – and the 5km travel radius further accentuated problems.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Source: AAP/Erik Anderson.
Small businesses are hopeful the Victorian government’s upcoming budget will include measures to address labour shortages, increase the payroll tax-free threshold and create more opportunities to expand local manufacturing.
The state budget, to be unveiled on Thursday, will include funding for transport, hospitals and changes to stamp duty. However, no pre-budget announcements have so far been made for the small business sector.
Treasurer Tim Pallas announced a premium stamp duty will be introduced for property transactions above $2 million to help improve the budget’s bottom line. This year, the deficit is expected to reach more than $17 billion.