CANBERRA LIBERALS CALL ON ACT LABOR GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
Leanne Castley MLA
Leader of the ACT Liberals
James Milligan MLA
Shadow Minister for City Services
Shadow Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation
Media Statement
7 February 2025
The Leader of the Canberra Liberals has today called on the ACT Labor Government to prevent numerous small businesses affected by the light rail construction activity going bust by providing more assistance.
The closing of London Circuit for at least two years will see small businesses collapse and jobs lost if nothing is done to support them, Leanne Castley MLA said today.
“The Canberra Liberals believe in small business and we believe more should be done for them to make sure they get through the next two to three years,” Ms Castley said.
“I spent a small bit of time yesterday talking to a few of the affected businesses and they feel like they’ve been treated with contempt by the ACT Government.
“It’s current Labor policy to not make financial payments nor provide tax exemptions or relief to businesses affected by major projects but we believe this is wrong and short sighted.”
Current ACT Labor government policy says:
In accordance with the ACT Government’s Business Partnership Policy – Major Projects, the ACT Government does not make direct financial payments to businesses affected by the construction of public infrastructure, nor does the ACT Government provide payment relief in relation to rates, taxes, rents or other charges payable to the ACT Government. [1]
“Small businesses are suffering from cost of living pressures as well as the rest of us and they deserve help and assistance during this period. There are a substantial number of businesses that will be affected and it’s just not right that they might have to close because of circumstances outside of their control,” Ms Castley said.
“The current ACT Labor government measures are just window-dressing and we’re calling on the government to take stronger action so these businesses don’t go to the wall.
“The consultation with the affected businesses has been minimal and the promise a few signs isn’t going to help one iota.”
The Shadow Minister for City Services Jame Milligan MLA said that the ACT Labor Government ignored the effects on small business during Stage 1 of Light Rail so why should Canberrans expect anything less this time.
“For two years across 2018 and 2019, I moved motions, met with local businesses and tried everything to make the ACT Labor government get off their backside and help small businesses affected by construction, but no, they know better,” Mr Milligan said.
“Now we have history repeating: little consultation, window-dressing and just contempt for Canberra Small businesses.
“After twenty years in government, this government now thinks it can get away with anything. Well the Canberra Liberals are here to fight for small business in the ACT.”
Background:
The Canberra Liberals previously raised this as an issue during Stage 1 of Light Rail construction by Mr Milligan MLA:
Hansard - 6 June 2018 (2058-2063)
Hansard - 13 February 2019 (190-193)
Hansard - 31 July 2019 (2544-2547)
