Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member for Deakin for his first question to me as

In fact, small business in Australia is part of the engine room of our economy. There are more than two million small businesses, representing 97 per cent of all businesses in Australia. Those small businesses employ around 4.5 million people and they make a contribution to our economy of $340 billion.

But there are more opportunities to expand the markets for these small businesses and family owned businesses. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement is a huge opportunity for these small businesses. Under this agreement, 95 per cent of all of our exports to China will be tariff-free at the conclusion of the implementation of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Services will also benefit—financial and professional services, law, health, education, construction and engineering. These and others will have expanded markets into China.

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