The Queensland government will commit a further $70 million towards targeted economic support for hospitality and tourism operators affected by the state's lockdowns.
Announced on Tuesday, it will cover a range of initiatives including payroll tax referrals, refunding fees and charges for affected businesses and waiving or reducing liquor licensing fees.
Treasurer Cameron Dick says the government has been working with stakeholders and industry leaders to formulate an economic plan to keep struggling businesses afloat.
"We obviously want to help businesses get back on their feet as soon as possible to rebound as soon as possible and every Queenslander can play a role there," he said on Tuesday.
For the 2021/22 financial year, Mr Dick says the government will waive or refund all liquor licensing fees for tourism and hospitality businesses to an expected benefit of $22 million.
They will also extend $5000 business support grants to large tourism and hospitality businesses across the state.
A further $20 million has been set aside for a COVID-10 cleaning rebate with the government paying 80 per cent of small and medium sized business costs if they are a COVID-19 exposed site, with the costs coverable extending up to $10,000.
"This package has been tailored to best meet industry's needs," the treasurer said.
"This is about our government flexing in response to what COVID is doing to businesses and to our economy.
"We're going to do everything we can to keep our economy moving forward and support those businesses across Queensland.
The targeted lockdown support package will also include a 12-month deferral of state lease fees for tourism operators, 12-months of fee waivers of inbound tour operator fees and a 2021-22 financial year offset for berthing fees for marine tourism vessels at privately owned or privately operated marinas in eligible Local Government Areas.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the additional business support will assist in alleviating the burden posed by international and domestic border closures and lockdowns.
"From the south-east last week to the Far North right now, Queenslanders experiencing lockdowns are doing an incredible job to keep us all safe," the Premier said.
"We want to make sure that we're providing that extra assistance to businesses out there that are doing it tough."
