Sky News host Paul Murray goes into bat for hospitality and small businesses
Sky News host Paul Murray has highlighted the precarious situation the hospitality industry finds itself in, as businesses continue to go bust.
Recent statistics reveal that many cafes, restaurants, and pubs are facing financial hardship, with many more struggling to survive.
“If you have a look at these stats, even more of them are in trouble than the ones that have blown up since this mob came to power,” Murray said. “65 per cent of hospitality business consider themselves to be in a medium risk about whether they will exist into the future.”
Barry has come out firing against the government and its attack on Peter Dutton’s long lunch proposal, accusing them of taking aim at the proposal to hide their own budget failings and the billions of dollars of debt the government’s policies could place this country in by 2040.
The debate centres around a plan that would allow small businesses to deduct certain meal expenses, a benefit currently enjoyed primarily by larger corporations. The government claims the policy prioritises wealthy business owners over struggling small enterprises and the hospitality sector.
It claims the $10 billion plan is nothing more than a subsidy for “long lunches” enjoyed by the wealthy.
The opposition argues it's a necessary measure to stimulate the economy and support small businesses. "They're painting a picture of cigar-smoking tycoons living it up on the taxpayer's dime. "But the reality is, this policy is designed to help the hairdresser working from home, the local landscaper, the countless small business owners who are the backbone of our economy."
The proposed policy would allow businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million to deduct up to $20,000 per year for business-related meal expenses at local cafes, pubs, and restaurants for a two-year period. Currently, only businesses with a turnover exceeding $1 million can claim these deductions. The coalition argues this change will level the playing field, giving small businesses the same tax advantages as their larger counterparts.
However, the government contends that the policy is a misguided attempt to curry favour with big business and ignores the struggles of ordinary Australians. "This isn't about helping small businesses. It's about lining the pockets of the wealthy while ordinary families struggle to make ends meet."
Murray argues that the current government has no dog in the fight because their members don't have any real world experience in small business.
The Sky News presenter offers an impassioned plea for small businesses, who find it hard to get a loan and pay everyone before themselves, while still providing the backbone of the Australian economy.
He argues that the opposition’s proposal would indeed help small businesses create jobs, put money in the till and potentially thrive in what is one of the harshest economic environment’s the industry has ever faced.
Jonathan Jackson, 10th February 2025
