MAJOR change to popular Dine & Discover voucher program could make millions of Aussies happy in lockdown

Millions of Australians who fear their hospitality vouchers may go to waste due to the latest coronavirus lockdown could be in luck.

The New South Wales government is considering more changes to its popular Dine and Discover voucher scheme as the state struggles to control a fresh virus outbreak that has plunged Sydney and surrounding regions into lockdown for two weeks.

Residents could be able to use their vouchers for takeaway and food deliveries direct from restaurants under a proposal being considered by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.

There's also talk of extending the four $25 vouchers a second time beyond July 31 to give recipients more time to use them, The Daily Telegraph reported.

NSW's successful Dine and Discover voucher scheme could be expanded. Pictured are Sydneysiders dining out in Newtown

Hospitality venues in Sydney and the surrounding Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Central Coast areas can only open for takeaway under strict lockdown restrictions.

The $25 vouchers can currently only be used for dining in but could be expanded to takeaways and meals directly ordered from the restaurants but wouldn't extended to include delivery services such as UberEats or Deliveroo.

An expansion of the scheme could be included in an economic stimulus package to be unveiled by Mr Perrottet this week.

Currently only available for dining in, the vouchers could be expanded to also include takeaway anddelivery orders. Pictured is a Bronte cafe open only for takeaways on Saturday

State opposition leader Chris Minns has written to the treasurer to propose a fifth voucher for residents impacted by lockdown

'This expanded criteria would provide an immediate and timely economic boost to local businesses who have just seen their entire cash flow put at risk overnight,' Mr Minns said.

The 'Dine and Discover' scheme gives adult residents four $25 vouchers to spend - two for local hospitality venues and two for cultural venues.

The $500 million voucher scheme was the centrepiece of the NSW government's budget, aiming to get more people spending amid COVID-19.

Patrons using their hospitality vouchers spend an average of $16 on top of their $25 voucher when dining out, according to recent government data.

The proposal comes after Sydney was plunged into a two week lockdown on Saturday. Pictured is a deserted Circular Quay on Sunday night

Comments

EXCLUSIVE: From a $US13million mansion to a caravan: How the Australian wife of Il Divo singer has been 'forced' to live in a dodgy trailer park after a wildfire burned down their house during a bitter divorce battle

'Forced' into a 'mobile home park': Renee Izambard (nee Murphy) with her estranged husband, the suave Il Divo opera singer Sebastien Izambard An Il Divo opera singer's estranged Australian wife claims she was 'forced' to live in a caravan park after their $US12.95million Malibu mansion burned down in a wildfire days just after she filed for divorce. Details of one-time Sydney Sony Music executive Renee Izambard's new life after her messy split with French tenor Sebastien Izambard were laid bare in a lawsuit filed with a Californian court this week. Ms Izambard (nee Murphy) is suing insurer State Farm, her estranged husband, an insurance agent and up to 20 others, over an allegedly 'inadequate' policy which covered the couple's destroyed former Malibu home. Their five bedroom residence - described as a 'no expense spared ... oasis' - and its two guest houses went up in flames on November 8, 2018 during California's devastating Wo...

The HS2 money pit: Ministers are told first stage of high-speed rail line may cost another £800m... six months after a budget increase saw total costs soar by £20.6bn to £43billion

Ministers have been told that Phase One of controversial rail line HS2 could cost £800million more than planned. It comes just six months after a budget increase saw total predicted costs for the first stage of the high-speed line soar by £20.6billion to £43billion. In a written statement to Parliament, HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said half of this figure is due to preparation of the route for construction involving 'more significant challenges than anticipated'. This includes the need to remove more asbestos than expected. Another 'significant cost pressure' worth £400 million has also been identified during the development of designs for Euston station. Mr Stephenson warned that further investigation is being carried out which 'could identify further pressure'. Ministers have been told that Phase One of controversial rail line HS2 could cost £800million more than planned. Pictured: HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson The HS2 route would initially link London and...

Tests may spare school bubbles from isolating: Children could avoid disruption to lessons by being screened for Covid more often under new proposal

Ministers will explore whether children could take more Covid tests instead of self-isolating to minimise disruption to their schooling. Sajid Javid said he was seeking ‘fresh advice’ on the current policy, which sees up to 250,000 pupils miss school every day. He revealed he would discuss the subject with Education Secretary Gavin Williamson after MPs expressed concerns about children being kept at home for ten days – even after a negative PCR test – because a member of their classroom bubble has been infected. It came as the Children’s Commissioner told how pupils had experienced ‘real trauma’ during successive lockdowns. Sajid Javid said he was seeking ‘fresh advice’ on the current policy where children self-isolate, which sees up to 250,000 pupils miss school every day Dame Rachel de Souza described the class bubble system as ‘very very restrictive’, adding: ‘I think everybody would like it if we could get back to normal, as soon as possible.’ Former health minister Steve Brine tol...

Newsif Blog

Search This Blog