Key Points
A Rebecca White Labor Government will continue the work of Business Tasmania and be further dedicated to alleviating burdensome red tape as part of our unwavering commitment to supporting the backbone of Tasmania's economy – our small businesses.
Labor has heard the concerns of small businesses and that’s why we will empower Tasmania's small businesses by fostering an environment that nurtures their growth, innovation, and resilience.
Labor’s Plan will:
- Establish an interim Small Business Commissioner
- Provide formal dispute resolution services for small business
- Deliver a grant program for regional Chambers of Commerce
- Reduce bureaucratic red tape
- Support Jobs Hubs
- Commit to a Social Enterprise Strategy
- Permanently cap power prices for contracted customers, delivering Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power
- Make sure small business owners and employees can get the childcare and housing they need to go to work, support business and pay the bills.
Why we need to do more
After 10 years in office, small business is crying out for the representation and support it needs.
For all their promises, the Liberals have failed to cut red tape and deliver an environment that puts small business first.
“We will empower Tasmania's small businesses by fostering an environment that nurtures their growth, innovation, and resilience”
With high power prices, a lack of housing and childcare, small businesses need a Labor Government that will prioritise and deliver for them.
The Details
Labor’s comprehensive Plan for small business will:
1. Establish an interim Small Business Commissioner
A Labor Government will establish an Interim Small Business Commissioner dedicated to alleviating burdensome red tape, facilitating fair dispute resolution, and laying the groundwork for a permanent Small Business Commission.
The establishment of an Interim Small Business Commissioner is not just a promise – it's a commitment to the heart and soul of Tasmania's economy. Labor stands shoulder to shoulder with small businesses, and together, we will create an environment where they can flourish, thrive, and continue to make invaluable contributions to our community.
This fills the essential gap between mediation and the huge (and inequitable) costs of court. It underscores Labor’s unwavering commitment to supporting the backbone of Tasmania's economy – our small businesses.
2. Deliver a regional grants program
A Rebecca White Labor Government will deliver a $280,000 grants program for Tasmania’s regional chambers of commerce.
These organisations support and advocate for Tasmanian small businesses across the state and a Labor Government will help them expand their reach and never stop standing up for small business.
3. Support Jobs Hubs
A Rebecca White Labor Government will continue the work of Business Tasmania and support Tasmania’s Jobs Hubs. These organisations have been vital in matching jobseekers with small businesses seeking staff.
A Rebecca White Labor Government is committed to these jobs hubs and ensuring they are funded adequately.
4. Commit to a Social Enterprise Strategy
A Rebecca White Labor Government will be committed to a Social Enterprise Strategy for Tasmania with input from key Social Enterprises operating in the current market.
This will unlock the ability for more young people with disability to gain work experience and pursue a fulfilling career in Tasmania.
5. Increase penalties for assaults on frontline workers
A Rebecca White Labor Government would create new offences in the Criminal Code to target offences of assaults, stalking, harassment and intimidation against frontline workers, including health and emergency services, retail, hospitality and transportation workers. This would mean that those offences could attract a maximum penalty of up to 21 years imprisonment.
6. Deliver cost of living relief for small business
A Labor Government is committed to cost of living relief by:
- Providing small businesses with cost of living and cost of doing business relief by reversing power price increases and ensuring we pay Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power.
- Putting a permanent ceiling on the price paid by contracted customers, guaranteeing that energy rebates for small and medium businesses will kick in if the wholesale price of power go above $100/MWh.
- Making more quality, affordable childcare available at schools and open childcare centres across the state to help working Tasmanians get to work and pay the bills.
- Makeing housing more affordable and building our way out of Tasmania’s housing crisis, particularly in our regions.