Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

There are around 3.4 million small and family businesses in Australia. They employ around six million Australians. It's critical to support these businesses, because if we want to grow our economy we need to ensure that we put in place the right policies for them to prosper and grow and, ultimately, create more jobs for Australians.

You don't, though, just support the small business itself. You ensure that that small business is able to support its employees. Those employees of course have families, which are then supported in turn. Anyone from rural and regional Australia would know that small businesses are the lifeblood of local communities. Often, the local football club is supported by a small business—sponsoring the local football club can never be underestimated, but there is also supporting small businesses to take on their first apprentice. We on this side of the chamber understand that you need to put in place the right policy framework so that small businesses can prosper, grow and create more jobs.