My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Wilson Asset Management has released fresh data estimating small and family businesses face up to $13.3 billion in restructuring fees and tax advice to deal with your government's tax changes to discretionary trusts. Why is your government waging war on small businesses in this country?

Leaving aside the rhetoric over there, I would make the point that I made yesterday: we have actually seen more small businesses under our government over these last years than when we came to government. I would also make the point in relation to trusts that the government made clear in the budget: we will be working with small business and other interested parties around how to deal with the changes in the taxation arrangements. For the small proportion of small businesses who are affected—I think it was in excess of 90 per cent of small businesses that will not be affected at all—the government indicated we would provide rollover relief if they wish to restructure so as to maintain their tax arrangements in the context of the changing tax laws. In other words, we said, for that proportion of small businesses that do use trusts—again, it's only 10 per cent, I'm advised—we recognise this is a change. We will have a transition period and a process of consultation around that change, and we will also look at rollover relief so that people can restructure their business arrangements to deal with this change. Senator, I think it's the opposite of the language that you used. We are seeking to be consultative with very important community members and a very important group in our economy, who contribute enormously to the economy more generally but also to local communities.

Senator Nampijinpa Price, first supplementary?

The budget indicates that it expects to raise $4.5 billion over five years from these changes, but how can struggling small businesses afford to spend two to three times that amount just preparing for the changes?

I would make two points. The budget included a tax reform package which provided over $3.8 billion in new tax relief for businesses. That is the first point. The second is in relation to the changes to trusts. I again say to you, Senator, 90 per cent of Australia's small businesses do not use trusts. Of the 10 per cent that do, we have said we will ensure that there is rollover relief if these small businesses wish to restructure into different legal arrangements, such as a company or a fixed trust, in circumstances where that is beneficial for them to do so.

Order!

This is Senator Nampijinpa Price's question. I'm trying to respond to her.

I have called the opposition to order many times.

I have said we will provide rollover relief to enable and facilitate small businesses changing their structure.

Senator Nampijinpa Price, second supplementary?

Instead of slugging hardworking Australians with yet another tax, will the Prime Minister actually listen to small and family businesses and scrap Labor's proposed trust tax—yes or no?

We introduced a range of tax reforms of which that is one. They are reforms, and those reforms have enabled the provision of new tax relief for small business and have enabled an additional tax cut for every working Australian. I know the coalition seems to have an aversion to giving tax cuts to every working Australian. We actually think that is a good thing to do. It is a good thing to do in our economy.

I'll take the interjection from Senator Hume, who has no credibility when it comes to talking about taxes on working people, because we know that, as shadow finance minister, she argued for higher deficits and higher taxes. That is her political position and that has not changed, and she has been rewarded with that somewhat extraordinary position with a more senior position inside the coalition.