Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I speak in this House and take the opportunity to commend on the short vision that was introduced as a matter of public importance today. The last budget brought forward great initiatives to help Australia prosper not just for now but also into the future of our nation. Over recent months I have learned that some members opposite have the same passion for Australians and their welfare as I do. However, to my deep disappointment, they are not in the majority, and political manipulation is the order of the day. As recent events have unfolded in this House, I have been appalled that we are not working as one to protect and support the most vulnerable or to inspire people to get ahead. Instead, we on this side stand alone to work for the benefit of current and future Australians.

Small businesses in Australia represent a pretty hefty sector of middle Australia, the majority owned by families. In the run-up to the 2013 election, I saw the economic damage that the carbon tax, brought in by Labor, did to small businesses and families, pushing electricity bills through the roof, pushing the cost of refrigerant to levels quadruple the original cost before the carbon tax, and adding to running costs and grocery bills. But Labor knew they were going to affect everyday Australians—middle Australians—because they gave them a compensation payment. Yes, I said that: a compensation payment, because that policy was harmful to those very Australians they pretend to be supporting, as suggested by the matter of public importance today. I used to think that Labor identified with social justice issues—at least that is the impression they try to make.

Growing opportunities for business is the best way to benefit middle Australians—in fact, all Australians. Reducing the taxable part of the income of small businesses who are sole traders or family partnerships actually adds money into their consumer pockets. This helps families, entrepreneurs and our future. Straight after the budget, I had the opportunity to visit hundreds of local retailers. Many are planning to spend their $20,000 instant asset write-off in the next financial year, but overwhelmingly the business owners felt that financially the government was taking notice of their needs right now. Some businesses are purchasing from other businesses. It is having a great domino effect. It is putting money into the community and into the pockets of middle Australia. The jobs package into regions like mine in Gilmore has been warmly welcomed. It is already inspiring businesses to employ people. Young people have been given employment following Work for the Dole experiences. These people are from middle Australia. One of the members opposite makes critical remarks about our so-called cuts and then says we have rebadged and re-funded programs like these. You cannot have it both ways. Either we got rid of them or we kept them.

Yesterday in the House, I was disappointed to hear a question relating to the changes in pensions, and they are going on about it today. The changes are a serious attempt to keep pensions viable as an income support and to improve them for those in the most difficult of circumstances. The new structure is based on the recommendations from the ACOSS organisation and other like advocacy bodies after significant consultation. More than 170,000 individuals stand to gain $30 a fortnight. These are the most vulnerable in our society. I am stunned, actually, that those opposite do not see this as being really important and a great way to help them. Frankly, I am appalled by the rhetoric. In fact—dare I say it—it is 'stomach turning', to quote the Leader of the Opposition. Those opposite continually quote cuts to education and health. We are not spending the dollars of la-la land from Labor because they simply do not exist. We are, however, increasing funding to both the portfolio areas, based on real dollars and not imaginary dollars.

I listen right now in horror as the opposition quotes figures from an analysis that assumed no-one gets a job and that employment does not increase. Seriously? Benefits are put in place to assist those who have no access to income at all to support them—as we should, morally—not support those who can support themselves. Somehow, we have forgotten that Australian families are the best in the world. They have resilience and resistance; they actually do not want to be supported by government. They actually want to stand on their own two feet so they can support others who are less well-off than they are.

They do, however, want to know that if their system falls over—if something happens to their family—that the government can actually support them. We have a logical and consistent government and all the members on this side are gaining a strong economy for our future. (Time expired)

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