Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

They are the people that go and use the services of small businesses. The member for Dunkley might want to think about that. They are the people who go and buy things from small businesses. Yes, we have been upfront all along in saying that there will be a price impact—0.7 per cent, less than a cent in a dollar—and that is why we have provided extra money to families and to pensioners as they continue to consume the services from those small business people.

I do invite a contrast with a plan which would enable the alternative government, if it were ever elected, to pick winners and drag money out of families and small businesses to pay for it. I also say the following about the government's plan and, in saying it, I refer the House to the following words, because they are very wise words and the House should be reminded of them. My attention has been drawn to a statement which says the following:

It was actually the coalition that instigated work on the emissions trading scheme. In fact, I have in my hand a report that I helped author back in 1998 which talks about regulatory arrangements for trading in greenhouse gas emissions—1998!

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The coalition’s commitment to an ETS is demonstrable.

Words from the member for Dunkley. It is a pity—

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