Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Last Friday on the south coast of New South Wales I was told about the collapse in tourism income over the peak earning period for small businesses. Has the Prime Minister received the same response that we heard, firsthand: that his government's marketing campaign is not cutting through?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I find it amusing that a question about small business is coming from the shadow minister when 62,000 closed their doors in their last year in office, and, over the last year, 75,000. The reality is that small businesses will have access to half a million dollars in working capital, as the Prime Minister said, with two years interest free, and then the interest rate will be half the 10-year Commonwealth government bond rate. The reality is that small businesses that have been damaged by the fires will get grants of up to $50,000, and we are working though the states. Primary industry businesses—oh, you don't like the answer?

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

The member for Rankin on a point of order.

Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Relevance: the question was about the government's marketing campaign not cutting through.

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

I'll just say to the member, with respect, that the question was more than that. If you read the whole thing, it was about the collapse in tourism income et cetera. He is entitled to refer to the tourism industry. He is entitled to refer to small business.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Rankin is out of practice. He hasn't had a question for a long time.

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

The Treasurer will just direct himself to the question.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reality is that we have announced $76 million for tourism to help create jobs in the tourism sector and to deal with what has been a blow to that sector not only by the ongoing drought but of course by these devastating bushfires. We have announced a significant package of measures to support small businesses and, over the last reported year, we have seen 75,000 small businesses created. Our focus is on helping the tourism sector get back on its feet.