Border Closure
Ms. Finlay, question to Minister for Small Business, Ms. Howlett:
Yesterday, I asked you about sole traders like Paul Lewis who were affected by border closures but are ineligible for support through the Border Closure Critical Support Grant program. Your response was totally indifferent to the financial struggles that Mr Lewis is facing. Later yesterday you informed me that you had offered Mr Lewis the opportunity to meet with an Enterprise Centres Tasmania business adviser to talk about current circumstances. Again, the indifference is appalling.
I have since heard from a gentleman who runs a photography business that services events, conferences and weddings that have all been severely impacted by border closures over the last 18 months. His application for support through the Border Closure Critical Support Grant program was rejected. It was rejected because he did not meet the turnover thresholds and has not for the past 16 months. He has not met the turnover thresholds because of border closures.
It is clear that the way the program has been designed is not helping those who need it most. Will you commit to redesigning the program and offering a second round of grants?
August 25, 2021 - 10.23 am
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Ms. Finlay, question to Minister for Small Business, Ms. Howlett:
Tasmanian small businesses continue to struggle as a result of border closures and lockdowns in other states.
David Peach, from the Launceston Chamber of Commerce has said that the Border Closure Critical Support Grant Program you announced recently is insufficient, and that grant amounts are not enough to make a difference or to sustain a business. He said that job losses will be a natural progression and the lack of support was a serious risk of draining capability in the sector.
What additional support are you going to offer small businesses to prevent needless job losses in Tasmania?
August, 25 2021 - 10:40 am
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Ms. Finlay, question to Minister for Small Business, Ms. Howlett:
Bianca Welsh is the manager and co-owner of Stillwater Restaurant and Black Cow Bistro in Launceston. Her incredible business has fallen by 60 per cent on weekdays, and she has questioned whether the Border Closure Critical Support Grant program goes far enough. She said, and I quote: 'Many businesses across Tasmania are probably questioning whether they can go on'.
Things are feeling scarier than they did last year because without JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments, without the industry, everything is hurting. We are just not feeling that people are really understanding how quiet things are.
Do you understand how quiet things really are? If you do, can you say that the Government's support package is anywhere near sufficient?
August 25, 2021 - 10:51 am
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