The Premier's new business support package after weeks of pressure from Labor and business groups is too late for those businesses already in difficulty, and leaves workers without certainty about their jobs.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the support will not be available until October and there are no guarantees that businesses will not be able to receive grants unless they provide a guarantee to retain staff.
"As Labor, the TICT and the TCCI have been saying for weeks, support for businesses facing dire circumstances is vital to ensure our tourism and hospitality industry does not go to the wall," Ms White said.
"While the announcement that this support is finally being made available is welcome, the devil is in the detail.
"The fact is that this financial support will not be available until October, which is too late for those businesses already in difficulty.
"And the Premier has refused to spell out whether guarantees will be built into this program so that businesses will not be able to receive grants unless they provide a guarantee to retain staff.
"How can these businesses be expected to hold on for another month struggling to cope with the dire situation confronting the tourism and hospitality sector?
"The Premier needs to speed up the program process so workers don't lose hours and small businesses don't have to close their doors, and workers deserve a guarantee that their jobs are safe.
"Businesses and workers need real support - not an announcement designed to prop up this government in a sitting week of Parliament."
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
