Tasmanian business owner questions government over its allocation of hardship grant money

A boutique accommodation provider has called for the state government’s “secret” COVID-19 business grants list to be revealed, feeling she might have been short-changed.

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ALLOCATION of hardship grant funding for small business owners was confusing for applicants and lacked explanation, a Tasmanian business owner says.

Clare Glade-Wright of Hobart Hideaway Pods at Kingston said she was left scratching her head after being denied a $15,000 Small Business Financial Hardship grant as part of the government’s $26m coronavirus relief package.

Ms Glade-Wright said her bed and breakfast business experienced a significant economic downturn at the height of the pandemic and in the past month operated at a 20 per cent decrease in trade on the same period a year ago.

Clare Glade-Wright of Hobart Hideaway Pods at Kingston. Picture: Supplied

“It was a little disappointing because it seemed like anybody who met the criteria would receive the money so it was quite disheartening when we didn’t receive that,” she said.

“When another $4000 grant was announced, I worked a bit harder on that competitive application and thankfully received the grant.”

The Kingston mother said she would have no problem in being listed as a recipient of the grants program.

“I still don’t understand how the government decided who received the $15,000 grant – there was no explanation. It was confusing,” she said.

“I’m personally comfortable with the list being released. Something like a global pandemic isn’t something to take personally so you shouldn’t be ashamed of receiving a hardship grant.”

Labor Housing spokeswoman Alison Standen said “it’s a straightforward matter in the public interest” for information about taxpayer-funded grants to be released.

“Of course there needs to be some sensitivity to support businesses that have been successful. But what about those who have been unsuccessful? I think all Tasmanians deserve to have this information disclosed.”

The government has said that releasing the information might harm the mental health of grant recipients.

When asked how the grants were allocated, Small Business Minister Sarah Courtney said an additional $6.1m of funding was made available after the initial $20m was claimed by businesses who successfully applied for the $15,000 grants.