Labor is calling on the Liberal Government to stand up to Canberra and demand they help implement a Tasmanian version of JobSaver to keep Tasmanians in work.
A JobSaver program is required as tourism-reliant businesses and workers deal with increasingly difficult trading conditions.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Rebecca White, said business conditions as a result of border closures are putting businesses and jobs at risk.
"While border closures have kept COVID-19 out of Tasmania, it has created extremely difficult conditions for many businesses and workers," Ms White said.
"Tourism and tourism-exposed businesses are telling us that things are worse now than they were in 2020, yet they have access to almost no support.
"The greatest concern is for workers, who are losing hours and are likely to leave the industry entirely because of the lack of support from the Government while borders are closed. This will leave businesses struggling to ramp back up once borders reopen."
Under JobSaver payments in New South Wales, businesses that have suffered a 30 per cent or more decline in turnover receive payments of between $1,500 and $100,000 per week, based on the level of their payroll. The payment is calculated based on 40 per cent of payroll for businesses.
Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Dean Winter, said the Border Closure Critical Support Grant program designed by Peter Gutwein and Jane Howlett is woefully inadequate and does nothing to support workers.
"The program needs to have the flexibility, particularly in terms of when the 30 per cent decline is assessed from, just like the NSW program," Mr Winter said.
"The Government has included a $300 million COVID provision in the budget, some of which could be deployed to support these businesses and workers to make it through the next few months.
"We know Peter Gutwein and Scott Morrison do not get on, but surely they can come together to ensure these businesses can get through this difficult period."
Rebecca White MP
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
