Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Shop small: it is something that pretty much everyone supports in principle. We all support it, but why don't we do it more? Why don't more Australians do it? American Express commissioned research for its Shop Small campaign and found that nine out of 10 people say they feel disappointed—sad, even—when their small local businesses closed down. Most say that small businesses contribute to community identity. They feel guilt and regret for not shopping local. But, at times, we all shop at places like Westfield. We say we want to shop local and we want to shop small, and we do not need research to tell us that this aligns with what small business wants us to do.

Shop local is a somewhat fragmented grassroots movement that has failed to evolve into a meaningful or enduring form. It remains an ideal or aspiration. As consumers, we talk the talk on shopping locally, but we are just not putting our money where our mouth is. While nine out of 10 people feel disappointed when local businesses close down, 94 per cent admit to forgetting to shop small. The reality, clearly, is that they are not top of mind.

The coalition government is committed to small business and to ensuring that businesses are able to compete in a way that elevates the idea of shopping local to more than just an ideal. Our multi-pronged plan will support their success and includes a number of important elements—elements that I know, having run a small business, will streamline procedure, increase efficiency, relieve unnecessary burden and enable small business to get on with the job. The first step in change is often to listen, so I welcome the small-business roadshows currently underway—and I note that the member for Boothby mentioned that the roadshow came to her electorate. Canvassing input and exchanging ideas, the roadshows are linking small business directly with the ACCC, the ombudsman and the ATO as well as the Minister for Small Business. Providing valuable feedback and constructive in nature, they have the added benefit of putting a friendly face to the taxman. One thing we hear time and time again is the burden that compliance can bring. Efficiency is not helped by unnecessary overadministration. Regulation is one thing, but excessive red tape is another. The simplification of the business activity statement and the introduction of the SuperStream payments are great examples of sensible, practical efficiencies that are helping businesses to work smarter. The instant asset tax write-off, which the member opposite just spoke about, is an absolutely fantastic initiative for businesses turning over up to $10 million. What we want to see is those opposite supporting those businesses in their electorates—because I believe that is where the biggest growth will be. This measure will help jobs and sales. It will be really beneficial to electorates right across the country. We know that in countries like the US the instant asset tax write-off is unlimited. It is available to businesses turning over $1 billion and more. So supporting it for businesses turning over up to $10 million would be a great initiative and a way to help workers locally.

If we want to encourage Shop Small, we need to apply new methods. Supporting small local businesses by freeing up time empowers their quest for success. Every moment is vital. I welcome the impact of the Fair Work Commission decision for its capacity to assist Shop Small. In an age when convenience is king, being able to afford to open your doors longer puts you in touch with the key market driver. Boosting support, information and the ability to compete on convenience helps businesses to grow from within. This, in turn, pays dividends for both small businesses and the surrounding community. Rather than transplanting success from outside, which invariably brings discernible change, facilitating sustainable, locally grown businesses enhances a region's identity.

The Enterprise Tax Plan is a vital cog in the wheel of the good health of small business and yields exponential advantage. One thing the Leader of the Opposition and I agree on is, as Bill Shorten has said in the past:

… corporate tax reform helps Australia's private sector grow and it creates jobs right up and down the income ladder.

I could not have said it better myself, but he has done a backflip on that, as has every other member opposite. We have cut the small-business tax rate to the lowest level it has been in 50 years and we will continue to support small business.

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