Labor’s giant snub to small businesses

Thursday 30 April, 2020

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

LNP Shadow Minister for Small Business Fiona Simpson said Queensland was the only state not distributing relief grants directly to struggling small businesses.

Ms Simpson urged Queenslanders to sign a new petition demanding Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad introduce similar grants to save our small businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Queensland’s economy but they have been overlooked by Labor in this crisis,” Ms Simpson said.

“It is disappointing – to say the least ­– that Queensland is the only state refusing to give grants to small businesses that have been hit hard.

“It’s further proof that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has no budget and no plan to support Queensland’s small businesses.

“It’s not good enough. The Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to step up and give our businesses the same level of support that businesses are getting everywhere else.”

Around 97% of small businesses have not received a dollar of coronavirus payroll tax relief as their annual wage bills do not meet the $1.3m payroll tax threshold.

New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia have all introduced grants of between $10,000 – $17,500 for small businesses.

Ms Simpson urged Queenslanders to help small business by signing the LNP’s parliamentary petition and continuing to buy local.

“Labor has let small businesses down, so it’s up to Queenslanders to stand up for them,” Ms Simpson said.

“Only the LNP will back small business and get Queensland working again.”

Sign the petition at: queensland.typeform.com/to/dX92Rp