A review of the state government's small business hardship grants program has found at least 17 businesses which applied for assistance were incorrectly assessed.
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The program has been criticised by the Tasmanian Small Business Council and the Labor party because many applicants were either rejected or given a reduced grant.
After questions on this from Labor in Parliament, Premier Peter Gutwein committed to a review of the program.
Small Business Minister Sarah Courtney said as of July 1, the Department of State Growth had reviewed 85 applications, of which 17 had been awarded extra funds.
When asked why the 17 businesses were not awarded all the funding they were eligible for in the first instance, Ms Courtney said the team at Business Tasmania had worked hard in a high-pressure situation to get 18,200 grants to businesses quickly.
She extended her apologies to those businesses which were incorrectly assessed.
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"We ensured this was assessed by a different manager than the original assessment. That was then endorsed by the secretary of the Department," she said.
Ms Courtney said a total of 141 applications had been received for review.
"We still have remaining assessments to go. We are working through those as quickly as possible and making sure not only we notify businesses of the outcome but the reasons for it, so they have an understanding if they weren't successful why that was the case," she said.
"If there are businesses out there that would like their case reviewed or would like further feedback, please contact Business Tasmania."
- Business Tasmania: 1800 440 026