![ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7ch8sswsbjtrzq8qnd5.jpg/r0_433_5000_3255_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A re-elected Barr government would use a $2.5 million discount voucher scheme to support Canberra businesses struck down by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Liberal leader Alistair Coe has labelled the program a "harebrained idea", which wouldn't deliver the level of support businesses desperately needed amid the economic crisis.
Labor's program, dubbed Choose CBR, would allow Canberrans and visitors to secure discounts at businesses across the retail, hospitality, tourism, arts and recreation sectors.
It has set out an eligibility criteria for the program, including a requirement a business has a physical presence in the ACT, is receiving the JobKeeper wage subsidy and has an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
But there would be some flexibility, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr saying Labor would "look for reasons to include businesses, not exclude businesses".
Mr Barr said if Labor was re-elected on October 17 it would aim to have the digital discount vouchers available in time for the Christmas and New Year period, during which businesses will be banking on an uptick in trade after a horror 2020.
He estimated the $2.5 million investment would result in between $12 million and $15 million in spending over summer.
The ACT government offered a range of financial support to businesses through the pandemic, including temporary commercial rate relief. However it resisted calls from the business sector to provide direct cash grants.
The Canberra Liberals have promised grants of up $5000 for businesses struggling amid the pandemic, as well as a two-year commercial rates freeze, if elected next Saturday.
Mr Barr disagreed with suggestions the $2.5 million set aside from the voucher program would be better off in the hands of businesses.
"This [voucher program] generates economic activity and guarantees that the government supports jobs and economic outcomes," he said.
Mr Coe said Labor's announcement had an "element of desperation", given it was made just 11 days out from the ACT election.
"To announce a coupon scheme to try to support businesses in Canberra who are doing it tough to me seems like a pretty harebrained idea," he said.
"I really don't think it's going to deliver the sort of support, the sort of tax and rate relief, that our businesses so desperately need."
It came as the Canberra Liberals released a suite of early childhood education promises. They have matched Labor's pledge to offer one day a week of free, three-year-old early education.
"There is no doubt about the benefits of early childhood education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds," education spokeswoman Elizabeth Lee said.
The Liberals would also provide $200,000 a year to ACT Playgroups.
They said it would support the roll-out of paint and playgroup sessions in ACT primary schools, more early intervention to help children with special needs, and to ensure new playgroup communities could be built in growth suburbs.
"For many disadvantaged families, play-based group education can lead to better learning outcomes for children in their later years," Mr Coe said.
The Liberals also announced an $800,000 early learning scholarship fund to give educators access to study leave, professional development and training opportunities.