Small business support vital for recovery

Tasmanian Labor
  • Ongoing support for small business vital for social and economic recovery
  • Government must avoid the mistakes of the first round of support
  • Labor will back business to recover and thrive
  • Labor welcomes today’s announcement by the state government of additional support for small businesses struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Shadow Small Business Minister Anita Dow said small business is the backbone of the Tasmanian economy and must be supported to adapt to, and survive, the impact of COVID-19.

    “Labor has heard from many small business owners over the past few months who missed out on the initial flawed round of hardship grants, or received less funding then they originally applied for, with little or no explanation provided as to why.

    “Government must ensure it avoids the flaws of the hardship grants program in any additional support for small business. The distress caused to small business by the impact of COVID-19 has been compounded by the inequitable outcomes delivered in the first round.

    “Labor’s call to reopen the program was supported the Small Business Council, and the Premier’s own Advisory Council has confirmed the importance of supporting struggling businesses in hard hit sectors.

    “There are many small businesses that will continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 for months, and perhaps years, to come. They must be supported to survive the pandemic.

    “Labor will continue to back business not just to recover from COVID-19, but to have a thriving future.

    “Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package sets out a plan to support business and industry and get people into jobs, support those hardest hit by COVID-19, and build a better and fairer Tasmania.”

    Anita Dow

    Shadow Minister for Small Business

    /Public Release. View in full here.