Chris Crewther (Dunkley, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I withdraw the remark. I would like to note, though, that he talked many times about the benefit of tax cuts, and now he is talking against them. We need to stop living in this dream that the Labor Party talks about of having increased spending and higher debt. We need to reduce this debt and cut our red tape. On 31 December 2015 the government announced reforms which, when implemented, will result in annual reduced compliance costs of $4.8 billion for business, community organisations and individuals. We need to cut our red tape even further.

There are many businesses in my electorate, such as the local candle making business in Frankston, Mind Body Soy, which is operated by a lady called Jeanette. My office recently discussed with Jeanette the challenge of increasing electricity costs. Jeanette operates her business from her home in Frankston, in my electorate. Her last electricity bill was $385 with Simply Energy and the bill is now pushing $400 regularly. Labor's persistence in being irresponsible with our debt as well as with their tax cuts and energy costs means that over 150,000 people in my electorate of Dunkley and over 16,000 small businesses will suffer. I am working extremely hard for the people of Australia—the many families and children—and the hardworking people of Dunkley, people like Jeanette and many others who are trying, for example, to start up a business or make their own small business thrive. I hope the Labor opposition will join us in our efforts to reduce taxes. We need to work hard to reduce debt, reduce our small business taxes, reduce energy costs and encourage growth and employment within small businesses in Dunkley and across the nation. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to raise this important issue today in this grievance debate, and I look forward to working with you and many others in this parliament to see our debt reduced and a strong, responsible government.

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