Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I would draw the Leader of the Opposition's attention to the statistics that I read out earlier. Whilst those opposite would like to paint the bleakest possible picture, I think it is important to look at the numbers as they stand and as they compare to previous records. In terms of energy bill rebates—we brought it in, and you opposed it. You come in here and you complain about small-business energy costs, and then, in the same breath, you oppose providing that support. And then you go and complain about government spending when that spending is targeted to helping small businesses with some of their costs. You threatened to cut it. The worst possible thing that could happen to the economy and to small businesses, who rely on a strong economy to ensure customers and growth, is the $315 billion worth of cuts that Peter Dutton and his colleagues are arguing for.