The Canberra Liberals welcome the government heeding their strong criticisms of the failed ChooseCBR trial and revamping the scheme.

But the Liberals still have concerns about how much taxpayer money will go on marketing costs and how the scheme will be promoted outside the CBD to help struggling businesses in places like Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.

“The ChooseCBR trial was a dud with only 336 businesses signing up yet a staggering $123,000 wasted on admin costs,” Shadow Business Minister Leanne Castley said today.

“I am pleased the government has heeded the Liberals’ and business feedback and expanded eligibility so now 4000 businesses can sign up.

“It is also good that Canberrans can get more bang for their buck with 50 per cent discounts, for example $10 off when you spend $20.”

But the Canberra Liberals still have unanswered questions, such as:

• What is the ChooseCBR advertising budget and how much taxpayer money will be spent marketing the scheme?
• How will ChooseCBR be promoted outside the CBD to help struggling businesses in places like Gungahlin and Tuggeranong?

“Only seven small businesses in Gungahlin signed up for the ChooseCBR trial which shows how bad it was,” Ms Castley said.

“I called on the Minister to go back to the drawing board and am pleased she has overhauled the program because if it does not help small business, it is a waste of money.

“Canberra’s 30,000 small businesses employ one in four Canberrans and need all the help and support they can get.

“If the Labor-Greens government was serious about supporting small business they would have backed the Liberals’ call to set up a Small Business Ministerial Advisory Council to give small business regular high-level access to government.”