Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

I spent all my time over Christmas talking to Tasmanians, especially Tasmanian small businesses—what's left of them—and boy, are they are doing it tough. When Senator Pocock and I voted for the second tranche of the 'closing the loopholes' legislation, the government agreed to, among other things, review the sustainability of the Fair Work Act's definition of 'small business'. The definition of 'small business' in this country is not only confusing; there are about 25 definitions of 'small business' in use in jurisdictions right across this country. Some of these definitions include the one in the Fair Work Act 2009, which has 'fewer than 15 employees'. The ATO has its own—a business venture with turnover below $10 million. The ABS has 'fewer than 20 employees'.

So what's a small business? Somebody tell me. It's not defined. The current definition of 'small business' is not fit for purpose, and that means cafes, grocers, locally owned tourist shops, and homeware shops that local people own—to try to make a bit of a living out of risk—being treated the same as big multinational companies just because they are taking on a handful of casuals in response to seasonal demand, and that is not fair. We need a standalone definition of 'small business'. Let's keep it simple, stupid—that's all we're asking for. While we're at it, we need to raise the definition of a small business to one with fewer than 25 employees, not 15. That is so outdated. Senator Pocock and I were assured in good faith by the government that the government would get moving on this last year, and I haven't heard a peep out of them—just crickets.

There is another broken promise. The government has delayed its promise to review the definition of 'small business' until after the next election. I'm presuming this is to avoid a sticky conversation with the unions, because you're waiting on their donations. By the way, back to promises to the crossbench: when more and more Australians are voting for Independents and micros, it isn't very smart. Can you please get this small business definition done? You seem to want electoral reform rather than helping small business. That's where you're at today.