Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pratt for her question. Certainly, our side of politics sees small business as being an essential part of Australia's economy in terms of the jobs these small businesses create, the innovation that occurs and, indeed, the export growth that we have seen in recent years. In my role as trade minister, I note very much that, over recent years, we have seen many thousands of additional Australian small and medium sized businesses begin to export for the first time ever. In doing so, they're generating greater wealth for our country. Also, all of the evidence shows that these small businesses tend to employ more people and grow faster.

We also respect the role of industry representative bodies. Minister Cash talks about the important role that COSBOA plays in terms of advocacy and support for small businesses across Australia. We value engagement with them; we value working with them. We want to make sure that small business in Australia has its voice heard. That's why we've acted, through this time of crisis, to make sure that Australian small businesses get the support they need. It is small businesses that will be a key driver for getting Australia out of the economic challenges that we face.

Those opposite seem to forget that we're in the greatest global depression that we've seen since the Great Depression. This is the greatest global downturn that we've seen since those times, and so we won't apologise for supporting small business, for helping Australian small business and for helping their leadership as well in terms of ensuring that the policies that are applied across this country help small businesses to grow and to create jobs, and help to ensure that we achieve the strongest possible recovery for all Australians.