Small businesses are the powerhouse of the Tasmanian economy and employ more than 110,000 people across the state.
As a Liberal government, we actually understand the crucial importance of the private sector when it comes to generating economic growth and creating real jobs for more Tasmanians.
Because of this importance, we are using every economic lever available to government to ensure our small businesses are feeling confident about their future and are able to fully participate in a growing economy and increasingly connected - and competitive - world.
The evidence is found in the latest Sensis Business Index. It's official: Tasmanian businesses are now the most confident in the nation, and again Tasmanian businesses were the most supportive of the Hodgman majority Liberal Government’s policies compared to all other state and territory governments.
Through our Small Business Growth Strategy, we’re aligning our policies with the goals and targets of our small and medium businesses. This ensures you can take advantage of opportunities in our economy and get reward for your hard efforts.
We’re also helping grow the economy and create jobs by supporting businesses to develop a higher skilled workforce: real skills for real jobs; assisting with market access; unlocking investment opportunities in Tasmania; cutting red tape; and delivering the vital infrastructure that was long neglected.
As the first Minister for Small Business in Tasmania in recent history, I’m excited and optimistic about the things we can achieve by working together, encouraging success and building even stronger confidence.
This is in stark contrast to the Labor Party who’s scrapped the small business portfolio and given up on this crucial sector.