Tourism and Small Business Winners in Queensland's 2018-19 Budget

Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s budget measures to support the State’s tourism and small business sectors as outlined in its 2018-19 State Budget.

R&CA CEO Juliana Payne commended the Queensland Government’s $26 million commitment to extend the 50 per cent payroll tax rebate program until 30 June 2019 for businesses hiring apprentices and trainees.

“Crucially, over 90 per cent of the approximately 8,000 cafés, restaurants and catering businesses in Queensland are small businesses with 19 employees or less.

“The extension of the Government’s 50 per cent payroll tax rebate for businesses employing an apprentice or trainee is a win-win policy for small business-owners and the apprentices and trainees starting out their careers.

“Hospitality businesses need to be able flourish rather than just survive and easing the burden of payroll tax is one way to achieve this outcome.

Ms Payne also praised the Government’s investment in tourism marketing and major events, including $94.6 million over five years to progress programs under the Growing Tourism, Growing Tourism Jobs initiative.

“The critical importance of tourism and major events to the Queensland economy and the state’s employment outcomes cannot be understated.

“Proper investment in tourism marketing and major events is needed to attract tourists from both domestic and overseas sources to reap the full economic and employment benefits of tourism and hospitality.

“We are pleased that the 2018-19 Budget recognises this with significant funding commitments to tourism infrastructure projects and marketing activities,” Ms Payne said.

Credit- Restaurant & Catering.