Wednesday 6 May 2015: All that Australian small business ever needed to know about Labor’s continuing disinterest in them was captured by Bernie Ripoll in his press release today. Even before any detail has been announced, Labor’s spokesman Bernie Ripoll has issued a scaremongering statement, seeking to corrode business confidence by signalling that Labor will…

Joint media release with Treasurer Joe Hockey. Wednesday 6 May 2015: The hard working women and men of Australian small business are the engine room of our economy. Their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit will drive Australia’s economic future. There are already good signs the Commonwealth Government is getting the settings right for over two million…

Wednesday 6 May 2015: I commend the banks which have already pledged to pass on the interest rate cut announced by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) yesterday. The cut takes interest rates to a new, record low – with the official cash rate now 2%. I thank the Commonwealth Bank in…

Joint media release with Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane. Thursday 30 April 2015: Consumers will see reductions in electricity prices as a result of Australian Government-led reforms to the energy sector. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) today handed down price determinations about the amount network businesses can charge for ‘poles and wires’ over…

Wednesday 29 April 2015: I welcome the ACCC’s latest carbon monitoring report which shows that significant cost savings from the removal of the carbon tax are being passed on to consumers. The report covers the March 2015 quarter in the electricity, natural gas, synthetic greenhouse gas, landfill, construction material, manufacturing and domestic passenger air transport…

Tuesday 28 April 2015: The Government has today released draft legislation to extend unfair contract term protections to small businesses. In August 2013, the Abbott Government announced this important reform to give businesses a fair go. The protections will give businesses access to a level playing field to grow, invest and create jobs. Consumers have…

Friday 24 April 2015: The Abbott Government is committed to listening to the views of business and other stakeholders to help shape new policy. Today I hosted the first of several consultation roundtables on the Harper Competition Policy Review. The roundtable was attended by umbrella small business representative organisations as well as those from the…

Thursday 23 April 2015: I welcome the disaster relief assistance for small businesses in 12 local government areas jointly announced by the NSW and Australian Governments. The once in a decade storm that has lashed the Hunter region, Central Coast and Sydney has left devastation in these communities- and while the damage is still being…

Wednesday 15 April 2015: Another key step has been completed in delivering the Abbott Government’s election commitment to ensure a fair go for Australian small businesses by extending unfair contract term protections. I am pleased to announce today I have received confirmation of the necessary support from states and territories required under intergovernmental agreements to…