Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to the member for Lindsay. She is a product of a family enterprise that has been an institution in Penrith. She has been a great supporter of small business, and I thank those members opposite that are clearly great supporters of mine. Thank you for that.

The response to the budget has been completely overwhelming and positive for the 10,222 businesses in Lindsay. I have not met them all but I have met many on my visits to Penrith and with the member for Lindsay. The most recent was when we joined dozens of local small businesses at The Creative Fringe smart hub and Debbie O'Connor. What a great story! A home based business that Debbie ran, it went well. She is now hosting not only her own business at that shared enterprise centre but many other start-ups, many other businesses in a growth phase, helping men and women of enterprise to start and launch their business. And isn't it great that, today, more women are starting small businesses than men.

That is why the jobs and small business package is historic. It is a game changer. It is the largest and most supportive of its kind in this nation's history. Quite understandably the response has been extremely positive. And why wouldn't it be, with the lowest small business company tax rate in almost 50 years. That is a great achievement. We have seen 1.7 million unincorporated small businesses not overlooked by this government, not forgotten like the opposition has done. We have made sure they also get a proportionate and commensurate tax discount of five per cent up to $1,000. And who hasn't heard about the positive response to the instant asset write-off. Up to $20,000 for any business asset bought by a small business is able to be immediately depreciated.

Some examples were shared with the member for Lindsay and I when we were there at The Creative Fringe. Freelance photographer Katrina James was there and shared her positivity about it. She said: 'These reforms are fantastic. As a photographer working in the digital age, my gear is outdated far before it is depreciated. This will really help.' Jo Dickens, from Kingswood Florist, said: 'The tax changes are fabulous for small business. The timing of the depreciation really makes a difference.'

As the Prime Minister shared, these measures have now passed this House. And isn't that terrific. I have spoken to the Manager of Government Business in the Senate—

Mr Bowen interjecting—

Don't you get excited, member for McMahon. I remember your 46 days as the small business minister.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

That was two votes, on your average; you had one every 23 days. That measure has now gone to the Senate. The Manager of Government Business in the Senate has assured me it is the No. 1 government business item when the Senate reconvenes. What we have is an enduring focus from this side of the House, from men and women who have grown up with small business running through their veins. What a great week for small business and what a great government for small business the Abbott coalition is.

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