Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Last week we saw deeply concerning reports that the ATO's small business debt helpline is facing record levels of calls. This should be a wake-up call to the government as it is a clear signal that financial pressures on small businesses continue to mount. My team and I have spent many months doorknocking local businesses, and I have heard firsthand just how hard the past few years have been. Across Mackellar, too many shopfronts now sit empty, and behind every one of those closures is a family under strain. In Mackellar, as in regions right across Australia, small businesses are not just the backbone of the local economy; they are the heart of our community. They are our friends, our neighbours, our tradies, our florists and our cafe owners—people we see every day delivering the services we both need and love. Importantly, small businesses employ 6.8 million Australians—nearly half of our workforce. Part of my aim in doorknocking so many businesses is to ensure owners are aware of the supports available to them and also to simply listen. Over and over, I have heard the same thing: the last few years have been incredibly tough for small business. That's why I'm calling for a $20,000 tax-free threshold for small businesses. This would put up to $5,000 in tax savings back into the hands of small-business owners to reinvest as they see fit, to grow and stabilise their businesses. With the budget approaching, I urge the government to act.

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