Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for International Development) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Reid for her question. I know the member for Reid is a very strong advocate for small businesses in her local community, and, when I speak to the member for Reid, she often mentions to me the delicious noodles at My Aunt's Handmade Noodles, a small business in Burwood. I'm looking forward to also visiting My Aunt's Handmade Noodles with the member for Reid when I'm next in her electorate.

The Albanese Labor government has the back of small businesses because small businesses are the backbone of communities right across Australia. I'm pleased to say that there are over 800,000 new small businesses since the Albanese government came into office in 2022, and that number keeps growing week by week. That's a good thing because small businesses contribute around $600 billion to our economy each year and they support more than five million jobs.

To ensure small businesses grow and prosper, we've delivered over $2 billion in practical and targeted supports, focusing on three key priority areas that are outlined in Australia's very first National Small Business Strategy. Those three key priority areas are easing the pressure, supporting growth and leveling the playing field. In easing the pressure, we've extended the energy bill relief. We've paused indexation on the draft beer excise, supporting the hospitality industry and also those who drink beer, and extended the $20,000 instant asset write-off so that businesses can buy the things that they need to grow and to thrive. We've got $25.8 million in mental health and financial wellbeing supports for small business—something that's proven to be very successful in helping small businesses to sustain.

In supporting small businesses to grow, under that priority area, we are helping to build a skilled workforce through our free TAFE and through reducing HECS debt, providing small businesses with access to the skills and trade workforce that they need. We've provided over $60 million for digital supports through the Cyber Wardens programs, digital solutions, the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service, cyber health checks, reducing red tape and boosting competition. We're levelling the playing field by strengthening the ACCC enforcement of the franchising code and tackling unfair contract terms, to protect small businesses. And we're taking action against illegal phoenixing conduct, especially in the construction industry.

Small business, as I mentioned, is one of the key backbones of our communities and is represented right across Australia here. We'll continue to back them, because they back Australians.

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