QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:20): I think I was asked the same question yesterday, and I made a few points. One is that more than 90 per cent of small businesses are not affected in any given year. I'm going to say that again—more than 90 per cent of small businesses are not affected in any given year.

I know that those opposite want to focus on some who will be affected by this change without talking about the overwhelming majority who will not be affected by this change. What those opposite are effectively saying to Australians is they think income from assets should be protected far more than income from work. Why don't you just come out and say, 'Actually, we reckon if you get your income because you own assets you should get more tax breaks than people who earn their income from labour.' Why don't you just say that because the reality is that that is what you are arguing.

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