Business owners and job seekers remain uncertain about their economic futures after the federal government's economic statement.
Ondine owners Daniel Giordani and Keaton McDonnell could not have predicted the turbulent opening of their restaurant in April 2020.
Mr Giordani and Mr McDonnell were eligible for JobKeeper, but their 13 staff members were not.
"We fell right through the cracks of the system," Mr Giordani said. "[Should we have said] 'lets not open' then go on JobSeeker instead of creating jobs?"
Mr Giordani was not surprised by the dire picture from the economic statement.
"It couldn't have gone any other way," he said. "It's going to be a big deficit but at least the government provided help and tried to salvage the economy somehow."
Mr McDonnell said he wanted to see more government support for new businesses.
"Many [business owners] can't stop the plan if you have already invested, you can't sit and wait for things to get better."
Mr McDonnell welcomed the extension of support measures.
"I think the support the government is providing is great - if you are entitled to it."
Marcellus Helleta owns Gather Braddon, Gather Park, Wreckless and Blackbird.
He has 30 staff members across the four businesses with about 20 per cent eligible for JobKeeper.
Mr Heleta said his main concern for the survival of his business is the virus, not the economic crisis.
"Canberra is quite lucky ... we're quite safe here but I'd hate for it to turn to what [is happening] Melbourne or Victoria," he said.
"If that were to happen again that would cost a lot more than the benefits of financial support."
"I would prefer the businesses to be thriving after September and not have to rely on lesser JobKeeper subsidies because that way it will give us a chance to employ people who are unemployed."
"Hospitality businesses rely on people and without those people visiting - regardless of new staff or government incentives - you have the choice of having the doors open or having the doors closed."
Juliette Baxter's 2020 plans are dashed.
The 22-year-old ANU Asian Studies and Visual Arts student had earned a New Colombo Plan scholarship to study in China, and didn't have plans for secure work. She is now on youth allowance after being unable to return to her previous job due to COVID-19 and unable to access her scholarship.
"I'm quite pessimistic about job prospects at the moment because a lot of places don't seem to be hiring," she said.
She believes the government has overlooked opportunities to create new jobs.
"There's definitely a demand for jobs that the government hasn't stayed on top of, they aren't hiring at the right pace to keep up demand."
Ms Baxter is disappointed by the cuts to welfare supplements.
"I thought they'd cut it a little bit but not by $300 a fortnight. That's quite a significant amount. I'm surprised they are ending JobSeeker until September when JobKeeper remains until March.
"It seems unfair that they are willing to support people who have been employed for a longer period of time than people who aren't employed.
"They're left out to dry."
