Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over the last few days, I've had many conversations with hardworking small businesses on the planned changes to capital gains tax. I want to thank all those businesses I've spoken with, especially for the confidential information they've entrusted me with. I built a small business and ran it for 25 years. I know what it is to build a business from scratch with only your brain and a computer, so I appreciate why businesses with low capital startup costs are asking questions. I want to ensure that, as we refine these important reforms, the circumstances of all small businesses—not just tech startups—are recognised and considered. It takes a huge leap of faith to decide to work for yourself and then create a business that employs people. You take a risk, and you take on the responsibility for not just your own family but many others. A lot of new owners don't go into it thinking they'll build fast and sell. They go into it wanting to establish a long-term business that they hope to grow over time. I grew up in small business by my dad's side. I grew my own small business. I don't think I can do anything other than put myself in the shoes of small-business owners, including those across the Blue Mountains, the Hawkesbury and Nepean. That's what I'll be doing as we make these reforms that will ultimately put all Australians on a fairer footing.

Mary Aldred (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm speaking to hundreds of people right across my electorate who feel let down, hurt and betrayed by broken promises and new taxes. I've been inundated with hundreds of emails in the space of just a few days since I asked for feedback on the federal government's broken promise on the private healthcare rebate for Australians aged 65 and older. There are 1.4 million Australians in this bracket, and it's going to cost them up to $640 more every year.

Australians right across this nation are sick and tired of broken promises. Rosemary from Inverloch, in my electorate, emailed me about a number of inconsistencies this government has presented on HECS and higher education. I've heard from Chris, who has had to cancel his private healthcare insurance already. He said:

I have always had private health insurance until Labor took away the rebate.

Robyn, an age pensioner, has held private health insurance for more than 50 years. She is worried that, as she gets older, there will be an increasing burden on the health system for people like her, who try and do the right thing and pay their own cover.

I've had many other emails as well, particularly on the Victorian Labor government's broken promise about the West Gippsland Hospital. Wayne Farnham and I will continue to stand up for West Gippsland, as it's been terribly let down by this broken promise.