Thursday, 9 June 2022

Small business support

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (12:16): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Minister, interest rates are surging, hurting small businesses, putting pressure on small businesses. Will you advocate in these circumstances within government, on behalf of small businesses, for a commitment that there will be no new imposts in terms of state government charges or taxes on small businesses?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:17): It is a very exciting day when someone from the Liberal Party asks a question about small business. I have been waiting a while.

Mr Gepp: Because they don’t understand it.

Ms PULFORD: It is because they do not understand it and it is because they do not care and it is because they do not talk to them. But in response to Mr Davis’s question, it is a funny old question on the day—in fact only an hour or two after—this very chamber passed the State Taxation and Treasury Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, the answer being contained within, and we are midway through the debate on the Appropriation (2022–2023) Bill 2022, also with answers contained within, including the reconciliation of the very, very significant support that we have provided to the small business community through the current financial year and the previous as those things have been brought to their final reconciliation or near-final reconciliation. The Appropriation (Parliament 2022–2023) Bill 2022, which we will get to later in the day, perhaps does not get to this question.

But I think your answer is pretty self-evident, Mr Davis. We will continue to support our small business community. I always advocate for our small business community, in the same way Mr Leane advocates for his local government community, with my colleagues across portfolios and to the federal government. To the old, not very good federal government and to the new, exciting, dynamic incoming federal government, we advocate on behalf of small business.

I had the opportunity in the last sitting week to meet my New South Wales counterpart, and we had a very good, very productive discussion about the things we can do together for border communities, the things that we can do together in advocating to the federal government, which is different now to the federal government that we had when we had the meeting, but the point remains the same around the things that we can do across tiers of government as well as of course the many things we do within government to create a better regulatory environment, to create an environment that is supportive and conducive to our small business community.

I would also remind Mr Davis that during the life of our government we have made numerous changes to some of the costs that always impact small businesses—payroll tax relief, the bringing forward of earlier payroll tax decisions, the waiving of fees and charges through those most challenging periods of the pandemic as well as around $13 billion in business support. We are pretty proud of our record here. We work very closely with small businesses—individual ones, local traders groups, their peak organisations—across dozens and dozens of different organisations each and every day and will continue to do so so that we are representing them to the very best of our ability.

Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (12:20): Minister, I note that you did not indicate that you will say ‘no new imposts’. Let us be quite clear: you said a lot of things, but you did not say that. So let me ask a different question. Minister—

Ms Pulford: On a point of order, President, Mr Davis asked what I would do to advocate for small businesses in relation to costs, and I answered that fully. I spent every second of my time available, and he is making—

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister. There is no point of order.

Mr DAVIS: Minister, your government has already lifted the state tax take by 80 per cent and introduced more than 40 new or increased taxes since coming to government, many of which fall heavily, disproportionately on Victorian small businesses. I therefore ask what steps you will take as Minister for Small Business to wind back the tax load on Victorian small businesses.

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:21): Mr Davis, grab a pen: www.vic.gov.au/general-orders. You should familiarise yourself with that, and I can refer your question to the Treasurer if you would like. As the alleged Shadow Treasurer, you, above everyone in your ramshackle team, should know who has responsibility for taxes. But again I would point out the very, very significant changes and reductions and supports that we have provided to Victorian businesses over the life—

Mr Davis: On a point of order, President, the question was what steps she would take—

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, before I call you again, just bear in mind that during question time we do not take advantage and attack the other side or opposition, so please concentrate on the answer.

Ms PULFORD: Thank you for the gentle admonishment, President. It is very hard with Mr Davis, and I will refrain. I will take his question for the Treasurer and seek a written response in accordance with our standing orders.

Mr Davis: On a point of order, President, the question cannot be taken for the Treasurer, because it is about what steps she will take as Minister for Small Business.

The PRESIDENT: The minister has provided an answer to you, and that is her responsibility now. I cannot advise otherwise. I will check afterwards.