Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy) | Hansard source

The minister asks, 'What does the Tech Council say?' Thank you for that, Minister. I was about to quote from the Tech Council—perfect. The Tech Council, talking about the innovative business CGT concession, said:

As proposed, however, the IBCC would leave Australia a less attractive place to start, fund and grow a technology company.

The minister walks out of the chamber. He clearly doesn't want to hear from the Tech Council. It wasn't a great interjection, champ.

Who else signed that statement? It was the Tech Council of Australia, Robotics Australia Group, EduGrowth, FinTech Australia, Aussie Angels, Climate Tech Australia, the Medical Technology Association of Australia, AusBiotech, (Energy)Lab, Australian Agritech Association, Stone & Chalk and Startmate. They all signed that statement confirming that the tax changes proposed by this government will cripple the tech sector in Australia. Again, we have a minister in this government who is not across their brief, asking for a quote from the Tech Council. He didn't like what he heard, and then he walked out.

Many others have criticised the budget changes. The member for Sturt has provided commentary on those changes. Now, the government wouldn't let us table the member's letter. They were embarrassed by their own member's words. But the member for Sturt did say—and I'm going to quote from the member's email to her constituent:

I have had difficulty coming to terms with the extension of these changes to other asset classes, for the specific reason you identify.

I agree with your concerns.

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