Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is interesting that Labor has brought this matter forward today. It is a party that is opposed to economic growth and that is worried about the living standards of Australians—a party that is now opposing measures that they initially put forward to drive down debt and cut waste, but are trying to improve living standards? It is the party that put a chokehold on Australian industry with a job-killing carbon tax that cost every single household in the country more than $500 a year and yet is worried about our standards of living.

We on this side of the chamber know that the best way to increase the living standards of all Australians is through genuine economic growth. I want to take this opportunity to talk about some of the businesses in my electorate and how, under a coalition government, they are thriving, and how this is improving standards of living. I also want to talk about how the coalition government's small business package, announced just a few short weeks ago, is already creating quality, well-paid roles within the electorate of Solomon.

Brandit is a local business which specialises in uniforms and branded merchandise. Within a few days of the coalition's small business package being announced, Brandit had made a significant investment in their business by taking advantage of the $20,000 instant write-off. I understand they are buying a brand new screen printing machine. This will make them more competitive and it means they are able to complete work locally that they used to have to outsource. Now they will be able to employ somebody to do that work internally. It means more jobs in Solomon. A lot of their merchandise is sold locally, and a lot of their money is invested locally. This means more jobs; people are buying, there is more business confidence and more people being hired.

Labor's instinct is to regulate and tax the economy into prosperity. We on this side know that red tape does not help anyone—not business and not their employees. Mr Deputy Speaker, like yourself, I meet with a lot of local businesses; I talk to them about things that benefit them, things that they like and things that they do not like. Business such as: Elevated Boutique, Raw Cloth—Mr Deputy Speaker, you have commented on a number of my outfits and Raw Cloth is two fabulous ladies—

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