The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Labor Government for leaving regional businesses behind, after failing to deliver critical support nine weeks after the devastating flooding on the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions.
The long overdue $75,000 Category D grants for primary producers were announced earlier this month but impacted small businesses have been left in the lurch, only able to apply for up to $25,000 despite many suffering hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of damage.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said businesses are the backbone of our regional communities but have been left haemorrhaging by Labor’s empty promises.
“It’s been nine weeks since the Premier visited Pulteney Street arcade in Taree, looked business owners in the eye and said this was worse than Lismore, yet here we are and they’re still waiting for the help they so desperately need.”
“We know the Premier has been in the region this week and he should have done the right thing and fronted up to see the reality of his inaction, because this will spell the end for many who will be forced to shut up shop and won’t ever come back.”
Members of the Macleay Valley and Taree business communities wrote to the Minister for Recovery and Small Business weeks ago requesting urgent assistance but there were no guarantees provided in her response.
It comes after the Minister and Reconstruction Authority confirmed Business Impact Surveys are no longer being used for damage assessments which are instead being done through the grant application process which limits reporting to just $5,000.
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said it’s a betrayal to every small business owner who has done the right thing and is now being ignored.
“By capping the data at $5,000, they’re rigging the numbers. They’re cooking the books to downplay the scale of the devastation in our communities and it’s nothing short of dishonest and deceptive,” Mr Kemp said.
“The Premier and the Treasurer are clearly blocking this request. Premier Minns is happy to turn up for a photo op after a disaster, but when it comes time to deliver real, practical support, he vanishes.
“The Minister’s inaction is costing jobs, hurting families, and pushing small businesses to the brink of closure.”
The NSW Opposition has repeatedly called for $50,000 Category D funding to be made available to help small businesses get back on their feet.
Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said the longer people are left waiting, the more dire the situation becomes.
“Every week that goes by without support means more local jobs lost, more families put under pressure, and entire industries like oysters vanishing and never returning.”
“Our small businesses do so much – from employing locals, to sponsoring our sporting teams and supporting community events, and I can’t believe they have been left behind in this way.
“You can’t cherry pick which parts of the community deserve help. If you’re serious about recovery, you need to support everyone who’s hurting. It’s not too late for the Government to do the right thing here and we need to get this support over the line as soon as possible.”
