THE Victorian Government needs to find a way to support sole traders who are ineligible for $5000 small business grants to help them survive possibly six weeks of Stage 3 restrictions.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper fears the inaccessibility for sole traders to access the grants will disproportionately affect single mothers or women in the Mildura electorate.

“The government needs to ensure sole traders like single mothers or women who operate beauty and therapeutic services and will be unable to operate during the Stage 3 restrictions have access to some form of support,” she said.

“There are many other people like massage therapists, perhaps physiotherapists – people who provide those types of services either from their home or by visiting clients – who will be unable to operate.

“They can’t just be left to fend for themselves at during the stage 3 restrictions, which we have been told will last at least six weeks.”

Ms Cupper spent Tuesday visiting small businesses in Mildura to make them aware of the support that will be available and how to apply for it.

“I’m urging any small business that is going to be forced to shut because of the latest lockdown to ensure they are aware of what grants and sources of support that are available to them,” she said.

“If anyone has any questions or problems, I urge them to contact my office and we will endeavour to help you in any way we can.”