Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

It's called cooperation. We all know that the enormous economic contributions small businesses make to the Australian economy. As importantly, they're the heart of local communities across the country. They employ millions of Australians and they contribute $430 billion to the nation's economy every year.

In addition, we know firsthand how hard the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns and what occurred through many cities and towns hit many small businesses. I will see if we can get more information in relation to the 2017 report to which you refer, but I will say that there are a number of measures that the government has already put in place, with $18.6 million to help support small businesses adapt and build resilience through digital technology. Small businesses will also have access to tax incentives to train and upskill employees and improve their digital and tech capacity under reforms to be legislated by the government. The technology investment boost and skills and training boost will be backdated to 29 March so that small-business owners can receive the benefits. (Time expired)