The Canberra Liberals welcome the report in the Canberra Times that the number of businesses had boomed between 2019 and 2024. We want local businesses to succeed, we want to fan the flame of aspiration.
It is worth noting that the stats in the report refer to the number of businesses starting up, not a comment on how well they are doing. There was always going to be an increase in businesses coming out of the major decline over previous years. On top of that is the culture of working from home, including running or starting your own business from home.
We know that businesses start with just a spark of an idea, hope or a dream. They need building and nurturing to make sure they grow into something bigger. That is not the role of government, government’s role is to give them room to breathe.
This ACT Labor government doesn’t have any real interest in seeing local businesses grow and succeed.
Local businesses suffer from some of the highest costs in the country; deplorable approval times, increasing amounts of red tape and regulation and an all-round lack of support. That is why ASIC figures released on the 2 June 2025 show that the number of insolvencies in the ACT has more than doubled from 2021 to 2025.
We constantly hear of how tough local businesses are doing. We listen to them and work with them to understand what their goals and aspirations are. This allows us to understand how government can support them, and most of them just want room to breathe instead of being suffocated by unnecessary and burdensome regulation. Not to mention the devastating impact of government construction, including Light Rail from Gungahlin through the city and the Garema Place “renewal”. These projects are thrust upon businesses in the name of progress, but some businesses do not survive the impact on their ability to make an income and pay the bills.
We acknowledge that some businesses are doing well, and we all love to see that, but it is no thanks to the ACT Labor Government. It is more to do with the hard-working business owners, and the strong market for essential goods and services. With the current pressures on cost of living, it is harder for the average family to support small business above their basic needs.
There is a real risk that businesses than can operate in other jurisdictions will take their businesses out of Canberra. This is already happening. Especially with industries who can operate predominantly online.
The Canberra Liberals know the value of local business so we will create an environment where it is desirable to run a business here. Our focus will be on working with all sectors in the business community, to develop the right policies and ensuring there is enough oxygen for business to grow their flame, to create employment and to do what they do best. Encouraging businesses to operate here, boosts the local economy and contributes to a growing Canberra.
The Canberra Liberals want to encourage people who have a spark to nurture it and grow it here so that Canberra can continue to grow and become the vibrant city it should be as the Nation’s Capital.