Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister update the House on how the government is supporting small business to create jobs and are there any threats to the government's approach in this matter?

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Gilmore. She is a great representative for her community and the 9,000 small businesses that are part of it. This morning I was listening to ABC NewsRadio and I heard a headline that said: 'Stronger than expected jobs growth; big boost for the economy,' and I thought at last the mainstream media will pick up some factual economic information and they will underline the fundamental strength in the Australian economy. Alas, it went on to talk about the United States. I thought that was a little bit curious because Australia actually has stronger jobs growth than the United States, than Canada, than the UK, than, in fact, any of the G7 economies.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hotham will cease interjecting.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But you would not know from the rubble and the racket coming from those opposite. The story of jobs growth in the Australian economy under the Abbott is very positive. It should be that way, and it should be recognised as such.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hotham is warned.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have seen more than 330,000 jobs created in the economy since the election of the Abbott government. What we have seen is that the good news continues. We have the strongest level of female participation rate in the workforce. This is great news. Small business formation—business formation is at record levels, led primarily by women. We have record company registrations. Bankruptcies have fallen to the lowest level in 20 years.

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Newcastle!

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Business entries are up and exits are down. This is a really positive story about jobs and growth—

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order concerning relevance. For the minister to be relevant he has to refer to the nine per cent unemployment in the member for Gilmore's electorate.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Throsby, that is disorderly conduct. The member for Throsby will remove himself under standing order 94(a). I will not put up with frivolous points of order.

The member for Throsby then left the chamber.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A bit of union strong-arming going on over there! This record has been achieved by getting out of the road of job creators. We have been reducing red tape and removing harmful, anti-jobs, anti-growth taxes, like the carbon tax. We have been getting the policy settings right to support enterprising men and women to start to grow their businesses, to succeed, and to employ more Australians. We have been opening up new markets. The free-trade agreement is incredibly important—hundreds of millions of new prospective customers ready for Australian businesses to delight them and to see our economy and jobs grow. This is the story. This is what the member for Gilmore knows and can share with her community.

We are seeing confidence figures coming through strongly. The National Australia Bank SME quarterly survey shows business confidence and conditions are up. Even today the Roy Morgan consumer confidence survey again showed a steady lift despite international volatility. And all the leader opposite can talk about is politics. That is where you go wrong 'sunshine'. This is about jobs and growth.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will address the member correctly.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is where you get it wrong Leader of the Opposition. And there is that fantastic Australia-leading small business package. What a difference that has made. It is world class—admired by many. Even Labor tries to associate itself with it.

What puts all this at risk? Labor's plan to once again clobber small businesses with a carbon tax on steroids. What else is Labor putting at risk: access to new markets through the FTAs through their complicity in a shabby misleading and dishonest campaign. We are opening the door for business and we are winning that business. (Time expired)

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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