David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for the question. Again, the Labor Party only does half the job when it comes to research. They've taken a story out of The Courier-Mail that's totally taken out of context in respect of numbers. I'm going to put my hand up and say I'm a proud business owner—something those opposite wouldn't know anything about. If they're asserting that I'm making thousands of dollars out of having a consumer-leasing business, I say: come and have a look at my profit and loss. You mightn't know what a profit and loss looks like, because you've never had to run one. You know what? I'm proud to say that I put my hand in my own pocket and invested in a small regional community. I'm proud to say I put my hand in my pocket and I employ four people in a regional community. I'm proud to say I provide a service for those who are less fortunate than you or I, Mr Speaker, those who can't afford to buy a fridge or a TV. It allows them to be able to do it.

In respect of the numbers that are quoted, what they fail to acknowledge or understand, because of some unfortunate reporting, is that the lease agreement they've quoted provides an opportunity for those people who lease the product to be able to upgrade or change that product or have a service for that product when it breaks down. That's what a business does, and those opposite should understand that we play an important part in small business. If you want to cast aspersions on my character in this way, for God's sake come with some policy. Come with something that's going to change Australians' lives and stop the character assassination of those who are trying to make Australia better.

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