QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:11): I'm very pleased to get a question from the deputy leader of the Liberal Party and the senator for higher taxes and higher deficits. Senator WONG: Don't worry; I will. What I'm interested in is that that culture and that intellectual contribution to the opposition appear to be continuing under the Taylor-Hume leadership.

It is very clear, with the promises that have already been made by the opposition, that the Senator Hume approach of higher taxes and larger deficits is going to continue under the Taylor opposition. Senator WONG: In the last financial year, we saw more than 85,000 new businesses added to the economy, almost all of which are small businesses. I'm asked about— Senator WONG: Senator, you asked me a question; I'm seeking to answer it.

Either we can have a debate or I can answer the question. Compared to 2022, which is, I think, relevant to your question, there are over 265,000 more active small businesses today. I would make the point that we do know that the economic circumstances are difficult, that the environment for both business and wage earners is difficult and that inflation is challenging, for all the reasons that the Treasurer and the finance minister have outlined.

We are seeking to do what we are able to do, including in relation to small business. In fact, in the budget, the Treasurer announced some $3.8 billion in new practical measures to assist business.