Mark Baker (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Minister for Small Business and Tourism. Will the minister inform the House of the findings of the latest Sensis small business survey? What does this survey show about the support for the government’s workplace relations reforms?

Alexander Downer (Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Downer interjecting

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to withdraw the statement he made across the chamber, which was exactly the same as the statement which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition withdrew last week.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did not hear the minister, but I call the minister.

Alexander Downer (Mayo, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to withdraw.

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Braddon for his question and for his very strong support for the 10,500 small businesses that he has in his electorate. Those small businesses understand and appreciate the value that the Howard government has delivered—a strong economy, low interest rates and a flexible workplace. That has been reflected in the latest Sensis business index, which has small business increasing their support for the Howard government by 14 per cent. That is the second highest level ever. The only level that was ever higher was when the Howard government was elected. It is no wonder that small business appreciate this. In fact, they nominated that it has been stable economic management that they have most appreciated. Obviously the opposition is not interested at all in small business.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They are not the party of small business.

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They certainly are not.

Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Adams interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lyons is warned!

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not only did this survey indicate the very strong level of support for the Howard government—which of course has led to increased confidence by small business people to employ more people, enabling them to grow their businesses and give jobs to more people—but also it indicated a very real concern by small business about the Rudd alternative, which they know is simply doing the union bidding. They are right in their concerns. They know that the Rudd alternative—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his title.

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was actually speaking about the Rudd alternative, Mr Speaker.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will refer to the Leader of the Opposition by his title.

Fran Bailey (McEwen, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Small business is very concerned not just about the Leader of the Opposition but about the entire policy of the opposition because it knows that every single one of those sitting opposite will do the bidding of the unions before they will ever consider the needs and aspirations of small business people. Small business understands that the opposition’s alternative is to reinstate unfair dismissal and to get rid of AWAs. Small business does not want the clock wound back to the 1970s alternative. It understands that the Howard government has delivered and will continue to deliver in future.

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.