Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Influencing Public Policy

CPA Australia has been proactively engaging with government and other stakeholders to support our members and the broader public interest on matters relating to COVID-19. We have published our submissions to government, our media engagement and analysis of government updates and stimulus packages.

Continue to explore our vast resources, advice and guidance on COVID-19 for other key topics.

  Government support critical but long road to recovery ahead, says CPA Australia
Dr Gary Pflugrath, CPA Australia’s Executive General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, explains that while the government’s support spending has allowed Australia to escape the worst of the economic impacts of COVID-19, the negative consequences on jobs and business are likely to be felt for many years.
Last updated 23 July 2020 | PDF

  JobKeeper extension gives business extra time to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19
CPA Australia welcomes the Morrison Government’s announcement to extend and taper the JobKeeper scheme until March 2021. This comes in response to feedback from us and will ensure the profession has sufficient notice to understand changes and advise their business clients appropriately
Last updated 21 July 2020 | PDF

  AICD, CA ANZ and CPA Australia release COVID-19 annual reporting guidance
Joint bodies have published guidance on the disclosure and reporting of COVID-19 impacts on entities. The guide recognises the unique set of challenges posed when describing the impact of COVID-19 in annual reports for the upcoming reporting season.
Last updated 13 July 2020 | PDF

  Business advice needed to restore growth, warn accounting bodies
Australia’s major professional accounting bodies have called for the government to give businesses better access to the advice they need to recover from the impact of COVID-19 through a voucher system.
Last updated 7 July 2020 | PDF

  Reflect, reimagine and reinvent for a sustainable economic recovery post-COVID, says CPA Australia
As Australia emerges from the COVID-19 economic hibernation, CPA Australia calls on the Federal Government to shift its policy focus to supporting business recovery and reinvention, with the goals of achieving strong productivity, employment and GDP growth without compromising long-term environmental or economic sustainability.
Last updated 6 July 2020 | PDF

  COVID-19: The post-virus future for SMEs is digital
Paul Drum, CPA Australia’s General Manager External Affairs, writes about how the world has changed and SMEs need to change with it. Published in the NZ Herald.
Last updated 15 May 2020 | PDF

 New Zealand: Charitable sector in no state to help Kiwis in need 
Paul Drum, CPA Australia’s General Manager External Affairs, writes about how many not-for-profits face extinction from the loss of revenue during COVID-19.
Last updated 3 May 2020 | PDF

 New Zealand COVID-19: SMEs to plot a course to safety
Paul Drum, CPA Australia’s General Manager External Affairs, writes about the new measures and announcements in New Zealand that will put cash in the hands of many business owners. Published in the NZ Herald.
Last updated 16 April 2020 | PDF

 Early access to super COVID-19 measure: Joint bodies ensure Australians can easily access professional advice
The joint bodies have lobbied to ensure Australians can get the advice they need to understand the Federal Government’s COVID-19 economic packages, including early access to their superannuation. It will be easier for Australians to get assistance from professional accountants and financial planners in making decisions about their financial position in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last updated 14 April 2020 | PDF

 JobKeeper will deliver a lifeline to workers and businesses, says CPA Australia
The government’s JobKeeper bills are now law. They will enable the delivery of critical financial relief to many and will help speed up the nation’s economic recovery.
Last updated 8 April 2020 | PDF

 COVID-19: JobKeeper scheme a lifesaver, says CPA Australia
The Australian Government’s third tranche of stimulus and safety net measures will go a very long way to ameliorate the dramatic impact that the COVID-19 crisis is having on businesses, workers and their families, and the economy. Paul Drum highlights the benefits of the new JobKeeper scheme.
Last updated 1 April 2020 | PDF

 COVID-19: Stimulus and safety net measures
The second tranche of the Australian Government’s stimulus and safety net measures are important next steps in what is now a national health, social and economic emergency of a type most people have never experienced before. CPA Australia’s spokesperson, Paul Drum, says that the community is now more aware of the significant threat that COVID-19 poses to human health, businesses both large and small, jobs and savings.
Last updated 22 March 2020 | PDF

 Fiscal stimulus a timely boost amid coronavirus threat
The Australia Government’s economic response to COVID-19, announced on 12 March 2020 should provide a strong boost to many households and businesses as they face an uncertain period. Read CPA Australia’s take on this.
Last updated 12 March 2020 | PDF

 Summary of Australian states and territory governments’ economic responses to COVID-19
Australian state and territory governments have announced a range of measures to assist small to medium-sized businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Find out what each state and territory is working on, in order to support businesses.
Last updated 13 December 2020 | PDF

 Government grants and other assistance available for business in Victoria
In addition to the JobKeeper Scheme and the cash flow boost, the Victorian government has announced a range of grants and other measures to support businesses.
Last updated 29 November 2020 | PDF

 Hong Kong Policy Address 2020 Infographic
CPA Australia’s infographic summarising the SARs Chief Executive policy address handed down on 25 November.
Last Updated 25 November 2020 | PDF

 Summary of the Hong Kong Government's economic response to COVID-19
The Hong Kong SAR Government has announced a range of measures to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Last updated 16 September 2020 | PDF

 The Singapore Government’s economic responses to COVID-19
With previous budget measures coming to an end, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister have announced enhancements to the government’s economic response to COVID-19. Here is a summary of how the S$8 billion package will be used to continue to support jobs and create new ones, and provide further support for sectors hit the hardest.
Last updated 15 September 2020 | PDF

 Summary of the Australian Government’s stimulus measures
The Australian Government and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) have announced a range of measures to support the economy, business and employment during the COVID-19 crisis. The measures include support for businesses (for example, cash flow boost for employers, temporary relief for financially distressed businesses, and support from the RBA to encourage more lending by banks), support for individuals (for example, temporary early access to superannuation and reduction to minimum drawdown requirements), and ATO support.
Last updated 9 August 2020 | PDF

 Economic and Fiscal Update 2020
On 23 July 2020, the Federal Government delivered its Economic and Fiscal Update following a series of earlier announcements in relation to COVID-19 support packages including JobKeeper.
Last updated 23 July 2020 | PDF

 New Zealand: COVID-19 wage subsidy extension
A wage subsidy extension payment is available to support employers, including self-employed people, who are still significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Last updated June 2020 | Web page

 The Malaysia Government’s economic responses to COVID-19
The Malaysian Government has announced a range of measures in collaboration with the central bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, government linked companies and private corporations to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. The measures taken to support businesses include small to medium enterprises and micro-entrepreneurs, and encourage human capital development and private investments. Individuals are supported by enhancing the daily income and a reduced cost of living.
Last updated 25 September 2020 | PDF

 Payroll tax comparison between Australian states and territories
See an overview and comparison of the payroll tax changes, including waivers to assist business impacted by COVID-19.
Last updated 8 April 2020 | PDF

 Tasmanian Government business continuity grant
The Tasmanian Government is providing $700,000 to help Tasmanian businesses trade through and survive the economic impact of COVID-19, through one-off grants of up to $750. The grant is said to accelerate recovery once the situation improves and the trading restrictions are lifted.
Last updated 26 March 2020 | PDF

 Hong Kong announced expansionary budget to support economy
The Hong Kong Government has unveiled a budget for 2020-21 that is focused on supporting businesses and the wider community to counter the negative impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as developing a diversified economy, nurturing talent and building a liveable city.
Last updated March 2020 | INTHEBLACK article