Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell said the industry was concerned many outlets wouldn't be able to pay rent any time soon due to the COVID-19 crisis. “Essentially, Scott Morrison got agreement earlier in the year from the states through National Cabinet for them to agree to a code of conduct which allowed commercial premises to defer their rents until September or October, depending on which state it is,” Mr Clennell said.
“Under this arrangement, as it has been explained to me, if a business was down to 20 per cent of its business because of COVID restrictions, it would be up for 20 per cent of its rent with 40 per cent deferred and another 40 per cent wiped by the landlord. “There is no guarantee that, most likely apart from Victoria, that this form of deferral/assistance will be retained. “Some venues from September/October will be hard up paying their monthly rent, let alone their deferred rent.
AHA keeps campaigning for licensed venues to have as many as 300 people in them at one time in NSW. Yet doesn't campaign for members to even bother to collect customer details as required...
Deferring of paying the rent in many cases would be just postponing the end of business. Forced closure should be followed by wavering of rent for the same period. Negotiations with landlords is very stressful.
If they're going to stay on lockdown per Gov't orders, let them not pay for 6 months.
And who bails out the landlords or covers their costs?
Shouldn't the world start at making the world bank defer repayments. Better still wipe all debt and close down