‘More positivity around’

Business says JobKeeper changes will have positive impact on them

ONE of Toowoomba’s premier event hire companies has welcomed the Federal Government’s extension to the JobKeeper program saying it will have a positive impact on the business.

Range Event Hire has been involved in the events industry across Toowoomba and southern Queensland for the past 30 years and has provided equipment for some of Toowoomba’s biggest events including FarmFest, Curve Ball, the Spring Polo and Diner en Blanc, as well as smaller business functions and weddings, among other events.

Director Tom Carroll said while COVID-19 initially delivered a considerable downturn to the business, things were starting to look up again.

“There is a lot more positivity around than there was a month ago,” he said.

“The phones are ringing more.”

The business was one of thousands in the Toowoomba region that used the Federal Government’s JobKeeper subsidy introduced soon after lockdowns began.

“I think the government did a great job,” Mr Carroll said.

He welcomed the announcement this week the program would be extended until March.

“There will be a medium to long term positive impact from the announcement (this week),” Mr Carroll said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday announced a revision of the stimulus package, which is designed to combat the economic impacts of COVID-19 across Australia.

The program, initially scheduled to finish on September 27, will now continue through to March 28, 2021, though the payment rate will reduce slightly from $1500 per eligible employee per fortnight to $1200 each fortnight from September 28 and drop again to $1000 come January 4.

Mr Carroll said business had started to pick back up now that lockdowns were over in Queensland, with the company working on events like business anniversary celebrations and weddings, among others.

“We’re a long way off what we were doing, as we’re set up to handle big events, but in the interim it’s extremely beneficial.

“And we’re keen to do more.”

The extension of the JobKeeper program was welcomed by Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl who said it would keep residents in jobs.

“It appears to be a practical transitional arrangement which considers both the health of the nation and local economies,” Mr Rohl said.

tobi.loftus@thechronicle.com.au