· Government ignoring businesses that missed out on hardship grants
· Labor inundated by small businesses unable to get support
· Michael Ferguson undermining leader with calls to successful applicants
Failed leadership aspirant Michael Ferguson has been caught out undermining the Premier by making calls to successful recipients of the Small Business Hardship Grants program.
Labor Leader, Rebecca White, said Peter Gutwein was clearly unaware that Michael Ferguson was making the calls when asked a question in Parliament today.
"Labor has been inundated with businesses that have missed out on support from the government and are struggling to survive. Many of them have written to the Government and have not received a response," Ms White said.
"Yet, while those businesses wait for news on whether their grants will be reviewed, Michael Ferguson has been calling successful applicants in Bass, presumably to try to claim credit for the support they are receiving from the taxpayer.
"Labor wants to know how Mr Ferguson - who is not the Minister responsible for this program – obtained the details of successful grant applicants, and how can he justify this rank political opportunism when what the Government should be getting on with is assisting businesses that are struggling to survive.
"The Premier must commit to a full review of the grants program to ensure a level playing field for all Tasmanian small businesses and reopen the grants to those who have missed out.
"The Government should support Labor's COVID-19 Recovery Package which is designed to assist businesses, get Tasmanians back into jobs, help those hardest hit by the pandemic and create a better, fairer and more resilient economy and society."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
