Labor’s Josh Willie says grant program used to ‘shout’ businesses is not competitive

Labor and the government have locked horns over a small business grant program. Full list of who received a grant.

Taxpayer funds used to ‘shout’ businesses computers and phones

The Labor Party has questioned why the state government is using taxpayer funds to “shout” small businesses computers and phones.

But the government has accused Labor of being “anti-small business”.

Labor has released Right to Information documents detailing the successful applicants under the government’s Enabling Business Grant Program.

The grants, ranging from $2584 to $10,000, include funding for 14 iPads, 17 iPhones, 14 MacBooks, other laptops and desktop computers, AirPods and robot vacuums.

They have been made to nearly 150 individuals and businesses, including three hotels, for items from a tractor, glass cabinets, security cameras, gym equipment, a meat slicer and tanning extraction pod.

Josh Willie Labor member for Clark critical of a grants program. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor treasury spokesman, Josh Willie, said the program ran “counter to principles of competitive neutrality”.

“Why on earth are Tasmanian taxpayers paying for this stuff in a budget crisis?” he said.

“In a stark example of Premier Rockliff’s inability to manage money, RTI documents have shown that the Liberal minority government has used debt-funded Tasmanian taxpayer funds for an anti-competitive Enabling Business Grant Program.

“In a program that runs counter to principles of competitive neutrality, Premier Rockliff has used Tasmania’s credit card to shout dozens of iPhones, Macbooks, iPads, and other computers for businesses across the state, and even two sets of noise cancelling headphones for a custom hat business.

“Despite being about bringing new technology into small businesses, the waste extended to glass cabinets in newsagencies, freezers in grocers, and trailers for maintenance businesses.”

Mr Willie accused the government of bankrupting the state with wasteful spending.

“After 11 years of Liberal mismanagement, Tasmania’s budget situation has never been worse, and the wasteful taxpayer-funded handouts need to stop,” he said.

Minister for Small Business Jane Howlett at a parliamentary hearing into racing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Small Business and Hospitality Minister, Jane Howlett, was scathing of Labor’s criticism of the grants.

“Labor’s latest attack on small business is shameful,” she said.

“Small business keeps our economy strong and employs thousands of Tasmanians, allowing families to pay their mortgages and put food on the table.

“Labor are anti jobs, anti-economic growth, and anti-small business.

“While they continue to talk Tasmania down, we’re getting on with the job of supporting our businesses.”

On the government’s Business Tasmania website it says the Enabling Business Grant Program aims to support Tasmanian small businesses to “grow, adapt and innovate by providing grants of between $2,500 and $10,000 for capital purchases”.