QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:00): I thank Senator Hume for her question. As you know, on budget night, the Treasurer announced a process of consultation on a number of aspects of these very ambitious and substantial tax reforms. They are ambitious and they are substantial because we know the status quo is not working for Australians or for the Australian economy.

Consistent with what the Treasurer announced on budget night, the government has worked through a series of consultations, not only with small business—and that has resulted in some changes—but also in relation to the startup sector, where the government has made clear through the release of a consultation paper entitled 'Capital gains tax reforms arrangements for innovative startups' that we are open to a discussion.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Hume on a point of order? Senator HUME: I rise on a point of order on relevance.

I asked about a cafe and what it would need to do to be considered innovative. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Hume. I've been listening very carefully and the minister is being relevant to your question.

Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: In relation to small business, the deputy leader of the opposition would be aware that the government has maintained the four existing tax concessions for small business and has, in fact, in relation to one of those tax concessions, raised the threshold so that more small businesses will be eligible for this concession, and this was after substantial consultation with the small-business sector.

So I would suggest to the deputy leader I realise that those opposite are so worried about One Nation that they are not actually focused on policy that's good for the country. But what we have put in place is a set of reforms which are necessary for the benefit of the economy, of business and of working people. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, on a first supplementary?