Tasmanian businesses plunged into dire circumstances in the COVID pandemic fallout require an immediate answer about what specific help the Gutwein Government has asked its Canberra colleagues to provide.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff had confirmed today he has finally written to Scott Morrison but refused to outline what in fact he asking for.
"The Acting Premier has finally started talking to his mates in Canberra about helping Tasmanian businesses that are in dire straits, Tasmanians who have lost their jobs and more Tasmanians who are in danger of losing their jobs," Ms White said.
"He has confirmed he wrote a letter but what was in it?
"Did he ask for help? Did he ask for anything?
"And why has it taken until now for Mr Rockliff and his colleagues to finally get around to talking to their federal colleagues about a desperate situation for many, many businesses?
"He should be demanding their immediate help.
"Border closures have kept COVID-19 out of Tasmania but those closures have created extraordinarily difficult conditions for our businesses and workers.
"Tourism and tourism-exposed businesses are telling us that things are worse now than they were in 2020, but they have access to almost no support."
Shadow Minister for Small Business Janie Finlay said the Gutwein Government needed to do more while at the same time demanding the Federal Liberal Government do more.
"The Gutwein Government has included a $300 million COVID provision in the budget and, in addition to lobbying Canberra, that funding should be opened up now to help workers and businesses," Ms Finlay said.
"It's critical that right now - today – all governments provide the crucial support that is desperately needed to get workers and their families through one of the most difficult times in recent history."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
Janie Finlay MP Shadow Small Business Minister
