Mr Kerr, who is a sole business trader, operating from Kelso's Industrial area, said he and businesses like his, have been completely overlooked by the government.

The $17.6bn economic stimulus package, equivalent to 0.9 per cent of GDP, was announced on Thursday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The package is "front loaded" to ensure as much money as possible flows into the economy as quickly as possible, with $11bn of the package to be "out the door" by June.

But Mr Kerr said the package has no benefit to sole traders, who he said are the ones struggling.

"As a small local business owner that has no employees like many others, we are the forgotten people in this stimulus package.

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

"You can be unemployed and receive money. You can have one or more staff and receive money yet sole operators get zero.

"I have a small fabrication business that required a large cash injection to get started.

"I have a lease to pay. I have electricity, phone, internet, motor vehicle as well as the usual bills many others have outside of the business.

"We are going to be the hardest hit in all of this."

Mr Kerr said being a small business, he has huge overheads, and he, and many other sole traders, are struggling with the nation's current economic downturn.

"At time when customers are not spending, it definitely does hurt us."

"And it's just not me, there are plenty of us [sole traders] out there, in the same position.

"We're being ignored by the government, and it's harsh. Just because I can't afford to employ someone, I miss out.

Mr Kerr said he opened the business in June, and has not yet drawn a wage.

He has also seen a down fall in business in recent months.

"We've got customers who are scaling back because they are feeling the pinch, so the flow on effect is my business is starting to feel the pinch.

"Other customers come and get a quote and they're saying we have to wait until tax time because of the uncertainty," he said.

He said he understood why people are reluctant to spend.

"I'd like to upgrade to a new welder, but I'm looking at $7,000, but I need to keep some money [available] to keep the doors open.

Mr Kerr said he thinks the government needs to re-visit the stimulus package and include single business operators.

"They definitely need to look at it again," he said.

When contacted by the Western Advocate, Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said the stimulus package is focused on minimising worker lay-offs and keeping Australians in the central west in jobs by helping small and medium businesses in the region to stay afloat.

"There has been a need to find a balance between giving the economy a boost without sending us into a debt spiral.

"The Treasurer's office have confirmed with me that sole traders who don't employ staff can still access the key stimulus measure of the instant asset write-off being extended to $150,000.

"However, getting through the Corona virus could be a long haul and so I'll pass on these concerns to the government to consider if more stimulus is needed.

"Let's hope it's not," he said.