Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that the ACT is the worst performing jurisdiction for ‘value of retail sales’ between 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The report shows that during that period the ACT fell by 1.3 per cent despite the national average increasing by 5.9 per cent.

When asked last week in Annual Reports hearings about the report and why the government has failed to provide more initiatives for struggling business the Minister was unable to provide an answer.

Shadow Minister for Business Leanne Castley said the Minister has been aware that the ACT has had the worst business survival rate in the country for the last two years.

“It is disappointing that the Minister has not seen the report and could not answer questions about what strategies and business initiatives she is employing as the Minister,” Ms Castley said.

“The Labor-Greens government has turned their back on business in the ACT and the most recent budget was no different.

“There has been very little investment from the business Minister despite this being a very challenging time to run a business.

“It seems as though this Minister is out of ideas on how to help the thousands of local family and community businesses in the ACT.”

The Business Minister also refused to answer questions about the ACT’s business investment between 2019-20 and 2020-21 which again placed ACT at the bottom of the country. The ACT’s business investment fell by 11.5% while the national average fell by 1.3%.

When probed about any new major business initiatives the Minister could only name a new small business strategy that will make work and findings from the Better Regulation Taskforce more accessible for business.