Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp claims the Australian Government has once again failed NSW businesses, who are on the brink after a disastrous Christmas trading period.

In a rare showing of solidarity, the local Labor member joined NSW Treasurer, and Liberal counterpart, Matt Kean in criticising federal leaders for their sudden austerity towards NSW.

It comes after Mr Kean was snubbed on a national business stimulus.

He wanted the Commonwealth to put additional money into the scheme to support businesses that have suffered a 40% downturn during the summer.

However, his call was rejected.

“Ash Barty didn’t win the Australia Open saying I don’t need to try in the final because I had a good semi,” Mr Kean said.

“You have to address each of the challenges that come along.

“A lot of small businesses across the country would say they’re doing it tough.

“I don’t think now is the right time for austerity, now is the right time to make sure we protect the fabric of the economy.”

As a result of the federal “cold shoulder’, the NSW Government announced on Sunday a $1 billion support package.

It includes a payment of up to $5,000 per week, or 20% of payroll, for businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $50 million who suffered a 40% downturn in January, and project to do the same in February.

Mr Crakanthorp said even that state response was “too little, too late”.

“For those who are eligible, applications will not open until mid-February,” he explained.

“This will be 10 weeks since Newcastle’s first super-spreader event – and nine weeks after I first asked the NSW Government for help.

“The package also does nothing for those who experienced their biggest losses in the lead-up to Christmas, as no December trading is taken into account.”

Mr Crakanthorp said the lack of retrospective support was another letdown for local businesses.

“In what should have been the busiest time of the year for retail and hospitality, where they expected to recoup some of the losses from the 2021 lockdown, Newcastle was a ghost town,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“Make no mistake, this package has been designed to disqualify businesses who so need help as receiving support is contingent on losses still being at 40% through February.

“This eligibility condition is in place despite the Premier’s persistent and arrogant rhetoric that the state’s economy is in a good place and businesses are bouncing back.

“This business support package is nothing more than a box tick, so this government can boast that they ‘helped’.

“But, it doesn’t come close to compensating for the damage their disgraceful ‘let it rip’ ideology did.”

Retiring Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon also fired a shot at the Coalition, saying it had already wasted money giving it to profitable businesses through income support payments like JobKeeper.

“Too many people are looking at their situation, particularly business and their families, and they’re shaking their heads that the government isn’t prepared to do more,” he stated.

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