Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Bennelong for his question. He, like many in this place, is a strong advocate for small businesses and supports small businesses in his electorate. Indeed, millions of Australian small businesses are at the heart of our communities, as I've said in this place before, and they, of course, have a $430 billion contribution to our economy each and every year. We know that when small businesses are doing well the economy is doing well and Australians are doing well.

That's why we have taken action to deliver support for small businesses to remain more resilient and competitive. We've updated the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, which will mean small businesses get a bigger slice of the $70 billion each year that goes into government tenders, with a target of 20 per cent. Indeed, we've passed the unfair contract legislation—something those opposite talked about for nine years but actually couldn't deliver. It is already through the parliament in less than six months.

Indeed, as part of the budget, we committed to providing $15.1 million for small-business owners across Australia who are having issues with mental health—it's free mental health—and indeed for the debt hotline. This is targeted support—

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