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

As I was saying, Australians have started over 800,000 new small businesses since we came into office—a clear sign of resilience and belief in the future. As someone who's owned and operated small businesses, I know how rewarding it can be, but I also know how difficult it can be. I just want to take a moment, if I may, to thank the hundreds of small businesses who have taken the time to meet with me and speak with me and share their experiences with me. I want to assure them that their insights have been invaluable to shaping what we do as a government.

Today, I announced an extension of the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program and the Small Business Debt Helpline, delivering small businesses the help that they need, when they need it. It's just one of the ways that our government are helping to ease pressure on small businesses in line with our National Small Business Strategy—the very first strategy of its kind. That strategy outlines how we will work with states and territories to drive a coordinated and collaborative approach to helping small businesses. We're easing pressure on small businesses by extending the instant asset write-off, and we've given tax cuts that have benefited 1.5 million sole traders. We're levelling the playing field by extending unfair trading practice protections to small businesses and ensuring that large businesses pay them on time. While those opposite continue to focus on themselves, we continue to focus on backing Australian small businesses, giving them the certainty that they need to thrive.

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