ACT Election 2020: Labor to introduce discount voucher program to increase spending in coronavirus-hit sectors

The Choose CBR project would aim to boost business for the retail, hospitality, tourism, arts and recreation sectors devastated by COVID-19, by providing ACT residents with digital discount vouchers.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the $2.5 million program was yet to be finalised but would likely be available to businesses receiving JobKeeper payments, with a physical store which had been open for at least six months, and had less than $10 million turnover a year.

"The Canberra community has responded well to the pandemic so far, and that has allowed many businesses to reopen over the past few months," he said.

"However, the pandemic is not over and as the federal Liberal government begins to roll back JobKeeper and JobSeeker, a re-elected ACT Labor government will continue to support local jobs and businesses."

Mr Barr said work on the program began in August, as part of the ACT government's economic recovery plan.

"If ACT Labor is re-elected, we will work to finalise the scheme before launching in time for Christmas 2020," he said.