Senator Lambie Grills Treasury Over "Charlatans", Flawed Cash Flow Boost Programme

Senator Jackie Lambie has grilled Treasury officials over the flawed Cash Flow Boost programme that has seen thousands of legitimate small businesses denied support due to red tape.

In the peak of a global pandemic and Australia's first recession in three decades, small businesses have been denied support based on when they lodge their Business Activity Statements (BAS) with the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Small business people are being told by ATO officers "if you had lodged monthly you would be eligible". However monthly lodgements are only required for businesses making over $20 million per year.

Treasury officials try to dodge the question and pass off flawed policy design as "integrity measures" to protect the programme from so-called "charlatans".

Senator Lambie holds Treasury to account, showing that they are throwing the baby out with the bath water and punishing the innocent instead of prosecuting the perpetrators.

Thank you to Senator Lambie and her team for supporting the people who run and work for Australian small businesses.