Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As this is likely my last opportunity to speak before parliament rises for the Christmas break, I would like to send a special thank you to all those working in small business over the Christmas holiday period. While many of us in office work find Christmas time a time of parties and celebration, many of those that work in small business, especially in our retail sector, will be working 18 hours a day. The sales that they make between now and Christmas, which is a make-or-break period for them, will see if they are successful through the year.

Christmas is a time for us to reflect on family and friends, especially the ones that we have lost this year, who have left this earth for other places. In Australia, Christmas is also a time of great tragedy. We still have extreme bushfire weather, it is our cyclone season and it is a time when it is always very dangerous on the roads.

I encourage all Australians to support your local small businesses this Christmas. Stay safe, and let's see you all back here in 2020.