So much for the government’s much hyped improvements to its ChooseCBR scheme.

The revamped voucher program has been suspended after it crashed yesterday on day one and continued to frustrate customers and business owners today.

Shadow Minister for Business Leanne Castley said despite the ACT Government fanfare it had improved the program, Canberrans have been unable to get through to the website and businesses unable to process the vouchers.

“Multiple businesses are now no longer accepting the vouchers because the system is unreliable and causing too much stress,” Ms Castley said.

“It is simply not fair and unacceptable for business owners, staff and customers to be put in this position.

“Let’s not forget this is the second attempt at launching the ChooseCBR program and on both occasions there have been significant problems.

“All we have heard the last two weeks from the Busines Minister is how great ChooseCBR is and how the government has improved it.

“Not even two days into the revamped scheme and the government has had suspend the entire program.

“The Labor-Greens Government has had more than enough time since the COVID-19 pandemic began to support small businesses in the ACT and to this point they have failed.

“The ChooseCBR trial was a flop with only 336 businesses signing up yet a staggering $123,000 wasted on admin costs.

“Now I fear the ChooseCBR program is going the same way. If this program does not help small business, it is a $2 million waste of money,” Ms Castley concluded.