If yesterday's attack on Tasmania's tourism industry wasn't enough, Labor has doubled down attacking our 42,000 hardworking small business owners.
Labor have made it abundantly clear that they are no friend of small business, calling critical investment in their success 'reckless'.
Minister for Hospitality and Small Business, Jane Howlett, said Tasmania's business owners are optimistic about the future and attacks on them by Labor are outrageous.
"Once again, Labor are showing their utter incompetence in understanding how the economy works," Minister Howlett said.
"Small business keeps our economy strong, and employs thousands of Tasmanians, allowing families to pay their mortgages and put food on the table.
"Whether it's builders, daycare providers, accommodation, food outlets, restaurants, retailers, tourism operators, they are the lifeblood of our economy, particularly our regional communities.
"More than 95 per cent of the workforce in Tasmania is working in small businesses.
"Those business owners have told us that there are a range of ways we can support them and we've listened to that and responded.
"The Tasmanian Government has developed a strategy with key peak bodies that is actively providing assistance and support those in the small business sector through a range of measures including mentoring programs, assistance to take up new technologies, skills training and trade representation.
"This is producing real and tangible outcomes for small businesses, which means they can grow their businesses in the way they choose.
"That equals more jobs and a stronger economy.
"Under Labor – it's clear small business would be abandoned.
"Labor are anti jobs and anti economic growth.
"If Dean Winter actually cares about jobs he will send his Shadow Treasurer out to apologise to Tasmania's 42,000 small business owners."
