NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has criticised the state government’s $1 billion small business package.

Businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million and a 40 per cent decline in turnover in January can access a payment of 20 per cent of weekly payroll, up to $5,000 a week, from mid-February.

The payment will not be retrospective to include the month of January.

Mr Minns told Ben Fordham the response has been “way too slow” with businesses needing assistance now.

“The package was announced seven weeks after this began, you can’t apply for another 15 days and the money won’t go out the door for another 15 days after that.”

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