Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad that so many people want to hear Family First’s position. Let me make it clear. Family First is pro small business. It is unbelievable to hear the Labor Party and the Greens and the Democrats opposing changes to the Trade Practices Act that will help small business. What is the issue at hand? You can talk about all the other issues all over the place and bring in lots of arguments, but the key issue is: will this help small business? The answer is yes. Why does every small business organisation want this legislation to pass? It is because it is good for small business. That is why Family First has changed its position from last year.

Changes have been made that give more of a role to the ACCC—new powers that it currently does not have. The changes not only improve the ACCC’s position from what was being proposed last year but improve its current position. It is common sense. I do not understand why common-sense arguments are not listened to. Small businesses right across this country will benefit from this trade practices legislation. That is the reason why Family First will support it. The legislation streamlines collective bargaining for small businesses. It gives more of a role to the ACCC, which had none when the tribunal were looking at authorisations.