The Business Support Package will not be enough for many businesses struggling through seven weeks of border closures.
Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Dean Winter, said the Liberals' response had already been too slow and the support offered would not be enough to protect businesses and jobs.
"For weeks, we have been hearing from business and individuals who are heavily impacted by the border closures," Mr Winter said.
"With the situation in New South Wales not improving and vaccination rates unlikely to be high enough to lift lockdown until at least November, Tasmania needs a plan to get our businesses through.
"The level of support announced is simply not going to be enough for many businesses and $20 million won't go far. How much help is $2,000 really going to be for a business that has lost most of its income?
"We fully support following the public health advice, but appropriate, targeted financial support has to be there for those businesses who are bearing the brunt of the economic impact of border closers.
"It's quiet. There is no JobKeeper this time around. These grants are not going to be enough. The Premier should have done a better job of securing support from his Liberal colleagues in Canberra."
Mr Winter said last year's Business Support Package was subject of a Tasmanian Audit Office audit, with a number of recommendations made following serious concerns raised by Tasmanian small businesses.
"Despite Sydney being locked down for seven weeks, Peter Gutwein has rushed out a poorly-constructed program that risks being oversubscribed and leaving many without support.
"It remains unclear whether the Auditor General's recommendations have been put into place.
"Recommendation 2 from the PESRAC Interim report still has not been responded to, particularly in relation to what support will be put in place when borders are closed.
"The Premier should have lobbied his federal colleagues for Tasmania to get the equivalent support as interstate businesses who have been impacted by lockdown and provide direct financial support to workers.
"Under the Premier's current program some workers who have already been stood down will receive nothing, with airport staff directly impacted by the border closures already stood down.
"This program is a crucial tool to ensuring Tasmania's workers and businesses receive the support they need.
"Mr Gutwein cannot repeat the same mistakes, he must get this vital program right."
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
