"There's going to have to be a huge stimulus package...and that's got to go directly to the people,"Mr Lew said.
"I'm sure that when[the government] makes their announcements over the next period of time,we'll be seeing some very positive outcomes for the Australian public."
Mr Lew and chief executive Mark McInnes also warned of"significant hardship"across Premier's entire business at the company's half-year results on Friday,putting pressure on landlords to cooperate as retailers struggle through the pandemic.
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The apparel and stationery retailer reported a"solid beat",according to Credit Suisse analysts,with its net profit for the six months ending January 25 rising 12.2 per cent to $99.6 million.
Revenue for the half was up 7.6 per cent to $732.1 million,slightly ahead of analysts'expectations. Comparable sales across its brands,which include Just Jeans,Smiggle,Peter Alexander,Dotti and Jay Jays,were up 4.3 per cent. All seven brands delivered positive comparable sales growth.
Investors reactedly positively to the news,sending Premier shares up 16 per cent to $12.04,a small reprieve after weeks of battering,which has seen shares decline over 50 per cent.