The NSW Nationals have joined local businesses in slamming the Minns Labor Government’s “spare change” support package for communities impacted by the Great Western Highway closure.
After almost three months of chaos, congestion and lost income, the Minns Labor Government has come up with a token gesture that barely scratches the surface.
$10,000 grants will be made available to small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley, and Hartley Vale.
Nationals Member for Bathurst and Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this announcement is a kick in the guts for businesses, workers, and families who expected real support from the Minns Labor government.
“This feels like spare change being tossed at the Central West in the hope people will stop complaining. For many of our businesses this won’t even cover wages, rent, and power bills for a week,” Mr Toole said.
“The reality is there is still no meaningful support package for medium and larger businesses, no comfort for small businesses outside of Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley, and Hartley Vale no long-term recovery plan and still no certainty about when this nightmare will end.
“In response to my question in Parliament, Premier Chris Minns said, ‘we will do whatever we can to help the local community.’ It’s clear now that was a lie, and regional communities can see straight through this embarrassing response.”
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Small Business Gurmesh Singh said the Minns Labor Government needs to do more than just hand $15,000 to councils for a marketing campaign to tell people they are ‘open for business’.
“Businesses might be open and accessible right now, but the Great Western Highway isn’t, and there is no certainty on when it will be,” Mr Singh said.
“Minister Saffin herself called this a ‘modest’ support package – these businesses need better support right now.”
