Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Canavan for his question and his strong interest and advocacy for small business, in particular in his home state of Queensland. The small business and jobs package is a central part of our economic plan for stronger growth, more jobs and to ensure that everyone across Australia has the best possible opportunity to get ahead.

Since budget night, my colleagues and I have travelled across the length and breadth of Australia, meeting with small business owners and their employees. It has been a truly humbling experience to see the people at the coalface who are generating our economic success and employing more Australians as they become more successful.

What we are hearing from small business around Australia is that they feel energised by the small business measures in our budget, including and in particular small businesses in Senator Canavan's home state of Queensland. It has given them the confidence to carefully invest in growing their business and to take just a number of examples in Senator Canavan's home state of Queensland—Rockhampton—we have had feedback from Sarah Becker from Becker James & Co accountants who told us about her many clients who are taking advantage of the small business package and the $20,000 mini tax deduction for small business by purchasing a series of assets and pieces of equipment to invest in their future capacity. Mr Chris Harris from C.T. Harris and Co, who is also in Rockhampton, has applauded the small business tax package explaining that many of his clients are already taking up the $20,000 immediate tax deduction and bringing forward the acquisition of items that were previously only on their wish list. They are small businesses who of course will use the purchased assets to generate income, employ more staff and boost struggling regional economies along the way. (Time expired)