Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

I do thank the member opposite for that question. I was pleased to finally see their support for the instant asset write-off to get through the parliament last night. After eight months they finally got there, can I say. But this is not the only time, of course, they have delayed us trying to introduce the instant asset write-off. This is actually the third time in a row they've tried to delay this legislation getting through the parliament, and it's because they know that we have been supporting small businesses with targeted support for our term. Indeed, there has been over $2 billion worth of targeted support for small businesses since we have come to office, some of which you have voted against. You've delayed the instant asset write-off. You've voted against the direct energy bill relief. And, of course, those opposite are now saying that they want to go to the election with higher taxes for small-business owners and workers. Australia's 1.5 million sole traders will be pleased to know that those opposite want them to pay higher income taxes.

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