QUICK FACTS
- Energy audits for up to $1000 per small business with interest-free loans for upgrades through the Energy Saver Loan Scheme.
- Single form tendering for small business tenders under $250,000.
- Small business grants up to $10,000 for equipment and capital upgrades with a 30 per cent co-contribution from business.
- Up to $5,000 for multicultural small businesses to build capability and skills.
- $65,000 each year to support ongoing work of the Small Business Council.
Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will:
- Help small businesses save money by becoming more energy efficient.
- Slash red tape for small businesses by introducing single form tendering for all tenders under $250,000.
- Deliver a new $1 million grant program to support small businesses to thrive and innovate within their local communities.
- Deliver a new multicultural grants program.
- Provide the Small Business Council with funding of $65,000 each year to help support Tasmanian small businesses.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is to back our small businesses so they have the confidence to grow, invest and create jobs.
Small business is the engine room of our economy and the sector employs more than 100,000 Tasmanians across the State.
The Tasmanian Liberals back our small businesses 100 per cent. We want them to have confidence to grow, invest and create even more jobs.
Helping small businesses save money by becoming more energy efficient
Understanding where and when businesses use energy is crucial to finding the best ways to save money.
Currently, there is no government support to undertake business energy audits.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will establish the small business energy efficiency program, funding the audit for up to $1000 per small business.
This will provide support to businesses seeking to find savings in their energy consumption.
The outcomes of audits would help provide recommendations to the business to then pursue, either through their retailer or by utilising the Energy Saver Loan Scheme, which provides interest-free loans for any energy efficient improvements up to $10,000.This could include updating old equipment, installing batteries, or modernising premises with energy efficiency measures such as lighting, insulation or window treatments.
These measures will increase businesses’ overall energy efficiency, saving them money in operational costs as well as helping to reduce emissions and supporting a clean future.
Slashing red tape for small business
The Tasmanian Liberals will always make it easier for business to do business.
Already we have published most, if not all, timeframes of permits and approvals required by small businesses in Tasmania under our new Service Standards, providing transparency and telling our Government agencies that adhering to timeframes is critical to the success of small businesses.
But we know more can and should be done to ensure all government interactions are not overly bureaucratic and burdensome, including not attaching up to six different documents for simple tenders.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will slash red tape for small businesses by introducing single form tendering for all tenders under $250,000.
We will also make Government Agencies strictly accountable for published timeframes for permits and approvals and develop new online and user-friendly forms for engagement with small businesses.
Helping small businesses to thrive, innovate and grow
The success of small businesses in the many communities across Tasmania often depends on their ability to grow, adapt and innovate.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will deliver a $1 million grant program to support small businesses to thrive, adapt and innovate in their local communities, with grants up to $10,000 for capital purchases, such as new technology, small-scale manufacturing equipment, computers or electronic payment terminals.
Eligibility will be for Tasmanian small businesses registered in Tasmania with fewer than
19 full-time equivalent employees. Small businesses will be asked for a 30 per cent co-contribution towards the purchase price.
The grant program will be established in the first 100 days of a re-elected majority Liberal Government.
Deliver a new multicultural grant program
The multicultural sector in Tasmania is growing, and many in this community are business-driven.
We want to ensure this small business sector is well-advised to assist them in their start-up and growth.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will establish a new multicultural grant program for our hardworking and enterprising multicultural small business community.
Through a $400,000 grant program over two years, we will deliver specific support to eligible multicultural small businesses, with up to $5,000 to help finance projects that build capability and help with new skills. Projects might include building a website, developing strategic marketing plans, advice, coaching or training.
Targeted support for Tasmania’s multicultural small business community is expected to assist over 120 small businesses, helping them with their ongoing success, which in turn will support even more jobs for Tasmanians.
Provide the Small Business Council with funding of $65,000 each year to help support Tasmanian small businesses
Every day, the Small Business Council of Tasmania assists the sector with industry advocacy, collaboration and advice, including cybersecurity, and has been instrumental in encouraging Tasmanians to buy locally, with campaigns like "Go Local First" which, in turn, helps small business to grow and prosper.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will support the ongoing work of the Small Business Council of Tasmania by providing funding of $65,000 each year to partner with government in the delivery of the Tasmanian Small Business Growth Strategy, collaborate on ongoing red tape reduction, and continue its industry advocacy and support for buying local to benefit this vital sector.
Net Cost: $3.46 million over four years