Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to speak to this important motion moved by the member for Reid, and I thank her and recognise her commitment to ensuring we have a thriving small business sector. Small business is a powerhouse in Australia's economy, in employment and in broader Australian life. Indeed, at the end of the last financial year, there were over 2.5 million actively trading businesses in Australia, and, of this number, almost 93 per cent had a turnover of less than $2 million.

In my work before entering parliament I saw this firsthand, running economic development and small business support in local government. The breadth of business, from retail, the service sector and professional services to manufacturing, investment and IT—it was always impressive to see individuals and companies finding their opportunities, creating their own futures and making the Australian community and economy the stronger for it.

Last week I welcomed the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister, to Boothby to meet with a couple of local businesses that have seized the opportunities that energy transition poses for businesses and households to save on their power bills and cut their emissions at the same time. MAC Trade Services focuses on helping households become more energy efficient, and efficiency at the Tonsley Innovation District assists businesses large and small with their energy transition. These are both great Boothby businesses that have seen an opportunity and gone after it, and that is the great entrepreneurial spirit that drives the small-business sector in Australia.

That's why the Albanese government is delivering for small business. The broader economic agenda is designed to strengthen conditions for small business. Most importantly, we have listened to small businesses about the challenges they are facing and we are putting strategies in place to address those challenges. We heard about the shortage of skilled labour, so we put in place reforms like cheaper child care and an increase in skilled migration. Our implementation of fee-free TAFE places for areas of skills need is helping train the workforce and the small-business owners of the future.

We heard small businesses when they asked for more targeted support for help in the current inflationary environment. In the budget, we announced up to $3 billion in energy bill relief for eligible small businesses and households through the energy bill relief fund, in partnership with state and territory governments. This money will flow to around a million small businesses. In South Australia, the combined rebates for eligible small businesses will total $650 per customer off their energy bills. This builds on the $62.6 million energy efficiency grants program that we committed to in last year's October budget, which adds a 20 per cent tax deduction for energy efficiency upgrades.

We are also aware of the regulatory burden carried by small business. That's why this government is taking steps to reduce Single Touch Payroll red tape. On 1 July 2024, employers will be able to provide Single Touch Payroll engagement authority to their tax agents for extended periods. This will result in the elimination of unnecessary duplication of paperwork for Single Touch Payroll lodgements.

We are also expanding access to Australian tax office audit reviews to reduce tax disputes for small businesses. This can achieve better outcomes for taxpayers by delivering quicker and cheaper resolution of disputes. We're also expanding the number of tax clinics nationwide so more small businesses can receive tax assistance. Treasury will consult with the small-business community in late 2023 to identify further opportunities to reduce regulatory and engagement challenges that small businesses face in their interactions with government.

We also working with Australian small businesses to address new and emerging challenges, particularly in cyberspace. Online services and retail can be amazing opportunities to open up new markets that aren't restricted geographically or by opening-hour constraints. But, as we've seen increasingly over recent years, the online world poses many hazards for both business and their customers. The government will provide $23.4 million over three years, from 2023-24, for a Cyber Wardens program to support small businesses to build in-house capability to protect against cyber threats. More than 15,000 small businesses will be supported to train around 50,000 cyber wardens.

The Albanese Labor government understands and appreciates the contribution of small business to Australia's economy and society. We will work to ensure that they have a strong future.

Debate adjourned.

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