Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pratt for this final supplementary question. We also know that returning the budget to surplus is important for the economy in which small businesses trade. Yesterday, on ABC News Breakfast Senator Sinodinos stated the obvious on the coalition's ever-changing budget position on a surplus when he said, 'Look, I've no doubt that there's been a bit of untidiness in this area.' That is an understatement. In contrast, we have a commitment to return the budget to surplus in 2012-13 ahead of all advanced major economies.

In addition, from 2012-13 small businesses will also be able to write off the first $5,000 of the purchase of a motor vehicle including utes and vans. We are implementing an accelerated and simplified depreciation for business assets. As I noted last week, the 2.7 million small businesses will have a direct voice to the Gillard government through the first-ever small business— (Time expired)