State Government Business Costs Assistance Program – Mewburn Park Maffra

Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:48): (1314) My constituency question is for the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. Adam and Julia Vardy own a fantastic business, Mewburn Park, which is a popular wedding venue at Maffra. Seeking assistance for their survival during the state’s next lockdown they applied for financial assistance through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund. Having waited patiently for eight weeks for the outcome, they were eventually advised that their application was unsuccessful. They reached out to the Business Victoria concierge to seek a review of the declined application, which again resulted in an unfavourable decision. By the time they were advised of the rejection of one fund, the closing date for the business costs assistance program had already passed. They wished to apply for this fund. So noting the circumstances, which have been outside their control, I ask the minister: will you now allow my constituents to access the business costs assistance program?