Cameron Caldwell (Fadden, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today in strong support of this motion that's been moved by the shadow minister for small business, because it speaks to a simple truth, that small businesses across Australia are under siege and that it's this Labor government that is front and centre of that attack, and I'll join with my friend the member for Bean in welcoming back the shadow minister, the member for Goldstein, who is a strong advocate for small businesses across our nation.

I know those opposite love a good talking point but here's a fact that cuts through all. Under Labor, Australia has recorded the highest number of small business insolvencies in history—real people, real businesses, real livelihoods—and they're being failed by a government that's too busy managing headlines to manage the economy. We on this side of the House understand what's at stake. Small businesses aren't just part of the economy, they are the economy. They create jobs, they train apprentices, they sponsor our local footy clubs and they're at the school fetes and Saturday morning markets.

In my electorate, from Coomera to Coombabah, from Labrador to Ormeau, small businesses are the glue that holds our community together, and let me proudly remind the House that the Gold Coast is the small-business capital of Australia. More than any other region, we know what it takes to take a risk, back yourself and build something from the ground up, and I know that personally because I've been a business owner. I know what it's like to worry about making payroll, to wear every single hat that's required, to back your reputation with every job that you do.

Labor just doesn't get it. Let's look at their record: record insolvencies, flatlining confidence, cost of business rising, regulation strangling business to death—and somehow, according to the Treasurer, this is all just going fine. This is the same Treasurer who wants to impose a family savings tax on unrealised capital gains, a tax on wealth that hasn't even been earned yet. I've heard of taxing success, as a concept, but taxing potential success? That's next level tax creativity. If you're a small-business owner thinking about investing in equipment or property, this is the kind of policy that makes you think twice or just throw in the towel, because Labor could move the goalposts at any time.

They talk a big game on productivity, innovation and inclusion, but what's inclusive about a system that punishes family businesses simply trying to get ahead? What's innovative about drowning people in red tape? What's productive about energy policy that drives up bills and drives out jobs? What kind of government thinks it's a win when fewer Australians have the confidence to go and start a small business? These are salt-of-the-earth Australians doing their best, every day, in spite of the barriers that this government continues to put in their way. What are these businesses telling me? They're sick of being ignored. They're sick of being taxed more, regulated more and appreciated less. They're sick of this Labor government that views them as political collateral instead of economic partners. And they're absolutely right.

On this side, we stand for small business because we know that every job starts with a risk taken. Every apprenticeship begins with a business that's willing to invest, and every strong community is built on local enterprise, not bureaucratic interference. So let me be clear: the coalition will always back small business. We believe in lower, simpler and fairer taxes; we will cut red tape, not add to it; we will make it easier to employ Australians, not more expensive; we will empower local business owners, not bury them in compliance; and, most of all, we will restore confidence—because, when small business thrives, Australia thrives.

To every small business across the country: we hear you and we back you, and we're fighting for you every single day, because you deserve better than this high tax, low trust, anti-enterprise Labor government. I commend this motion to the House and urge the government to stop the spin, scrap the socialist economics and start backing the Australians who build, employ and serve our community with pride.

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