Media | Local News

Qld’s small businesses need grants NOW

18th May 2020

Time is running out for Annastacia Palaszczuk to backflip on her damaging refusal to provide coronavirus relief grants to small businesses.

Months after the coronavirus crisis began, Queensland is the only state in the country with no direct grant support program for struggling small businesses.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said many small businesses would struggle to keep their doors open as a consequence of Labor’s refusal to help.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy but they have been ignored by Labor,” Ms Frecklington said.

“While Labor are distracted by their integrity crisis, tens of thousands of small businesses are in danger of folding.

“If you care about jobs, you have to back small business. The LNP is demanding Queensland small businesses get the same support that they get in NSW, Victoria and everywhere else.”

LNP Shadow Minister for Small Business Fiona Simpson said the State Government’s payroll tax measures had benefited only 3% of Queensland’s 438,000 small businesses.

Ms Simpson said the QRIDA loans program had also been mismanaged, with businesses paying to prepare and submit applications only to be advised by the Palaszczuk Labor Government that the program had closed and their applications would not be considered.

“A huge part of our economy has been totally ignored by Labor,” Ms Simpson said.

“Every day that Labor fails to help will cost more jobs. Queensland’s small business people and their employees deserve the same help that is offered in other states.

“This is more proof that Labor has no plan and no Budget to rebuild our economy and protect jobs.”

The LNP is calling on Queenslanders to back its petition to help small businesses that have been denied coronavirus support by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

Ms Simpson urged Queenslanders to sign at: queensland.typeform.com/to/dX92Rp