Thousands of jobs in Queensland’s pubs and clubs will be better protected with gaming taxes from March 2020 now deferred until 2021.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said like other economies around the world, Queensland was dealing with the impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re continuing to manage the health response and that means we can start delivering our plan for economic recovery,” the Attorney-General said.
“This extra deferral will help improve cash-flow for pubs and clubs emerging from coronavirus restrictions and better protect the jobs of hospitality workers.
“Supporting local Queensland clubs means supporting locals in jobs.
“Our existing deferral for March 2020 gaming taxes, which was due to expire on July 10, has now been extended until 2021.
“This represents almost $50 million in deferrals for Queensland pubs and clubs for the period when they were hardest hit by coronavirus.”
Repayments for gaming taxes incurred in March 2020 will now be repaid in three equal instalments in February 2021, April 2021 and June 2021.
Around 50 licensees who have already paid their gaming machine taxes for March have had a total of $1.4 million returned to them.
This comes on top of the $22.7 million the Palaszczuk Government has already waived in liquor licensing renewal fees for 2020/21.
The latest taxation relief for pubs and clubs are part of a wider support package to help Queensland businesses unite and recover from coronavirus, including:
- payroll tax deferrals and refunds;
- small business grants;
- low interest loans; and
- energy rebates.
