Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

The Liberal-National government is focused on delivering our plan for a stronger economy. A stronger economy relies on a strong regional Australia. We back hardworking Australians and farmers who are investing in local communities and in their businesses and who want to create a strong economy and employ locals.

It will take some time for our farmers to plant next season's crops and to breed the sheep and cattle to a critical mass in order to restore productivity to their farm businesses. Local small businesses will also need time to bounce back after the economic impacts of drought and the reduced subsequent cash flow. Our government is fast-tracking business tax relief for small to medium businesses with a turnover below $50 million to see them actually having a tax rate of 25 per cent in the financial year 2021-22, delivering the benefit five years earlier to their bottom line. The Labor Party are no friends of farmers, no friends of small business. The Labor opposition, if elected, will place our economy at risk, with higher taxes and less confidence, and put regional funding on the chopping block. (Time expired)