Many Tasmanian businesses are suffering additional hardship as they are forced to continue to pay for utilities despite being unable to trade.
Shadow Treasurer David O'Byrne said the government must consider power bill relief as COVID-19 takes its toll on businesses around Tasmania.
"We all know that this crisis has had a devastating impact on many small to medium sized Tasmanian businesses," Mr O'Byrne said.
"Many have been forced to close and are still awaiting a clear pathway to reopening.
"As if that's not bad enough, they are now being hit with power bills despite being unable to trade.
"While Aurora Energy has made $5 million available to help both business and residential customers impacted by COVID-19, the cut-of point excludes many hospitality businesses hardest hit by the shutdown.
"Businesses like Tall Timbers in Smithton and the Shoreline Hotel on Hobart's eastern shore are not eligible for any assistance, despite trade grinding to a halt and, on top of this, transmission charges - which make up a large component of energy bills - have not changed.
"I welcome the Premier's commitment to look into these cases, but I urge him to broaden eligibility for power relief to ensure small to medium sized businesses get the support they need through this already-painful period."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
