I’m not a crook, says critic of Govt’s ‘lolly scramble’

The businessman at the centre of a stoush with the Finance Minister insists he’s “not a crook”, after Grant Robertson condemned his use of the wage subsidy scheme.

Black Steel owner Tony Black received $239,000 through the scheme but has only paid $80,000 to his staff.

He said he’s keeping the remaining almost $160,000 to help pay staff costs over the coming months, as his business has taken a sizeable hit.

If there is anything left by April next year — the end of his financial year — Black said he would pay that back to the Government.

“I have been made out to look like a crook and I am not,” he told the Herald.

Stuff reported yesterday that Black would not be paying back the money.

“I don’t believe there’s any legislation in place to enforce anyone to give it back.

“It was just a stupid idea from the beginning from our Labour Government,” Stuff reported him as saying.

“I’m at a loss as to why the Government gave away so much money in a lolly scramble.”

Robertson said Black’s comments were “out of step with most Kiwi businesses”, which are abiding by the wage subsidy rules.

“Mr Black’s comments seem somewhat confused and contradictory. The money is there to support the wages of his employees, and he says that is what he is going to use it for.”

Robertson also pointed out there are legal repercussions for business owners who abuse the wage scheme.

But Black told the Herald that because of the uncertainty, he’s holding on to the leftover money in case he needs track.

He said his business has been set back considerably — “if that continues, I will need that [leftover] money”.

The staffing costs include covering the cost of extra sick days his employees, or their kids, might take over and above the five days required by law.

Those found to have provided false or misleading information could face up to seven years in jail, according to the Ministry of Social Development. it to pay his staff down the