Portfolio — 25 May 2026

Minister for Small Business Anne Aly used a question time response on 25 May to present a comprehensive account of the 2026–27 budget's small business package, anchoring a $3.5 billion headline figure across tax, regulatory, procurement and consumer-protection measures [TA-260525-house-43807c883b19:s221]. The centrepiece tax measures make the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent and permanently extend the two-year loss carry-back — both previously time-limited concessions — while adding loss refundability for start-up businesses and expanded venture-capital tax incentives [TA-260525-house-43807c883b19:s221].

The R&D tax incentive is reformed to widen access to the refundable offset for younger businesses, reinforcing the package's orientation toward early-stage and growth-phase enterprises.

On the regulatory side, the Minister cited a 'tell us once' administrative reform projected to reduce regulatory costs by $10.2 billion, and the removal of 497 nuisance tariffs expected to save businesses approximately $127 million in compliance costs. Two new offsets — $250 for sole traders and a $250 working Australians offset — extend relief to the smallest operators.

The government has also halved the fuel excise and cut the heavy-vehicle road user charge, framing both as buffers against global economic disruption.

Consumer and franchisee protections feature in the package through strengthened Franchising Code of Conduct enforcement and higher penalties for unfair contract terms, with unfair trading practice protections extended. Investments in digital capability, cyber-resilience and the Small Business Debt Helpline round out the support-services strand. Changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules are presented as a structural lever to direct a larger share of government contracting toward Australian small businesses [TA-260525-house-43807c883b19:s221].

The Minister also referenced a visit to Industrial Automation in Joondalup alongside the member for Moore, using it to illustrate how local businesses are adopting productivity-enhancing technology [TA-260525-house-43807c883b19:s221]. The portfolio's posture across all elements is consistent: reduce cost and compliance burdens, expand tax incentives, and improve market access to strengthen small-business resilience.