QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator HUME (Victoria—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Prime Minister, before the last election, said, 'Small business should be backing Labor in this campaign,' and, 'We are making sure small businesses get looked after.' Minister, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's latest survey found that the negative impact of red tape on small business has increased.

There are rising costs through fees and charges, pressures on cash flows and burdensome compliance and employment costs, all placing greater pressure on businesses. Is this what the Prime Minister meant when he told small businesses that he would take care of them?