Aaron Violi
Casey · Liberal Party · Australia
“I think it's really important when we have this discussion, that we separate the intent versus the outcome. Now, it's clear the intent is to make sure all those under 16 do not have access to social media.”
“CFA volunteers give back so much to our community, and today I want to pay tribute to a good friend of mine, someone I've known for 20 years: Tim Mitchelson, better known to all of us as Loaf. He's stepping back from the BMT at the Wandin Fire Brigade, but he has served our community with distinction.”
“We see time and time again that the backbench has to follow orders. They can't get what they want on gambling reform. They have to take the sandwich from those. They have to follow the Prime Minister's lead on a bad budget, and they have to continue to follow the minister that is failing when it comes to social media.”
“You spend a lot of time rushing legislation through this House for political means, but doing your job is getting the legislation right. This legislation is not working. Young— A government member: How? How is it not working? I will explain to you if you stop interjecting and listen. Young children are still on social media.”
“The coalition is saying, 'Let's take the time to have an inquiry, to do the work, to understand why it has failed and why we can get it right the second time.' As the member for Berowra said, we don't want to be back here in six months' time having to amend it again. The detail was wrong the first time.”
“They weren't prepared to look at the detail and understand. Let's look at history. This legislation was introduced on Monday this week. This government wants to ram it through the house on Thursday. But let's look at December when the first legislation was brought in.”
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“When the individual is strong, the family is strong, the community is strong and the nation is strong, and small business is at the heart of the individual and the family.”
“Manufacturing is a critical industry for my community of Casey. It was fantastic to see these accessories being built by a team of locals. That's why I'll always champion Australian innovation and support for small business. Cliff and the team at Hypersurface Chemical have been working on exciting new paint products that have revolutionised the industry by being high performing and eco-conscious. Both of these visits were a reminder of the strong manufacturing industry that we have in Casey, with many businesses doing amazing things from our local industrial estates. That's why I'll always be a voice in this place for small business. As a nation we must get the settings right to enable small businesses to grow and scale and invest in the cutting-edge technologies that enable them to innovate.”
“We've seen over 100 companies in Casey enter insolvency or administration in the last year, under this government. That includes 51 in the construction industry and 17 in the accommodation and food industry. At no point has Labor seemed interested in bringing small business into the conversation, yet they are the ones that are suffering the most. I've recently had the opportunity to visit two manufacturing businesses—ARB 4x4 Accessories, which is in Kilsyth, and Hypersurface Chemical, which is in Lilydale. ARB is an Australian manufacturer in my community that manufactures four-wheel-drive parts and accessories, employs locals and contributes to our local economy. They are the biggest manufacturer of four-wheel-drive accessories in the country and are a large employer in my community.”
“Small business is the heart of my community and every community across the country. Under Labor we've seen a massive expansion in regulation that is drowning small business. They've added more than 5,000 new regulations in their first term, including 153 in employment and workplace relations. These regulations cost our economy and small business billions in compliance expenses. I've spoken to many small businesses in my community, and they just want the government to get off their back and let them do what they do best: employ locals, make quality products and support their communities. Labor's approach to industrial relations assumes that every corner store, side hustle and startup has a human resources, legal and finance department to interpret their lengthy and complex industrial relations laws. The reality is they don't.”
“We just saw that here. Three-and-a-half years in, this government is still blaming the previous government. We do not want excuses for the incompetence of the Treasurer, who does not even deem the parliamentary process important enough to be here to respect it. I will acknowledge the Assistant Treasurer, who has taken the time to be here. In many ways it is probably better that he is here, given he is a doctor of economics. The Treasurer is a doctor of political spin. As many people know, the Assistant Treasurer is the brains behind the operation, so there might be some small hope, but he will continue to get railroaded by a Treasurer who is insistent on spin. We know that the Treasurer is distracted. He's been missing lately. It's almost like the Treasurer has been sidelined by the Prime Minister.”
“Cost-of-living pressures continue to be a challenge for families in my home of Casey and for all Australians across the country. Can the Treasurer explain why the price of food is up 16 per cent? Why is the price of health care up 15 per cent? Why is the price of housing up 18 per cent? Why is the price of insurance up 21 per cent? Why is the price of education up 17 per cent? Alarmingly, why are the prices of gas and electricity both up 38 per cent, impacting every Australian, every business and every community group? This is all under this Treasurer's watch. The reality—and the answer—is the incompetence of this Treasurer. He's all about spin. He's not able to turn up. I note he is not here today. He does not have any solutions to the challenges that the Australian people face, and the Australian people are facing them every day.”
“I know the member for Brisbane is new, so I don't want to hold her to account. I appreciate she has to repeat the government's talking points. I talked about this a lot last term. I'll talk about it again. It's important. Facts matter. The $1 trillion debt that the government supposedly inherited, which they keep talking about, is not true. Don't take my word for it. Take the word of ABC Fact Check. ABC Fact Check, that right-wing news organisation, has said that the government's claim of inheriting $1 trillion in debt is false. It is not true; it is spin. So I would urge those new members on the government side to not repeat the Treasurer's talking points word for word, because you're misleading your communities and the Australian people. The reality is that spin won't cut it for the Australian people.”
“They are so afraid of scrutiny and the minister is so out of her depth that those opposite voted against an independent committee to make sure that triple 0 would work, that the telcos would be held to account, that ACMA would be held to account and that the minister will be held to account. The minister knows they failed. That's why they voted against an independent committee, and it is a shame and a disgrace— (Time expired)”
“My community will be interested to know that the government doesn't think that it's critical infrastructure and an asset of national significance to be able to call the CFA if there's a bushfire in my community. The coalition knows it is. Again, those opposite will have to go back to their communities. I look forward to those opposite that represent regional and rural communities explaining to their communities how it's not critical infrastructure to be able to call triple 0 to alert the CFA of a fire or to call an ambulance service when your family needs it. They are the facts about what this government decided to do.”
“We sought to move another amendment to make sure that the triple 0 network was defined as a critical infrastructure and an asset of national significance. That's a very simple amendment. You would think everyone would agree, after listening to the member for Boothby, the member for Spence and the minister about how important the triple 0 network is, that it would be critical infrastructure and an asset of national significance. But no—according to the government and those opposite, it is not, because they made the decision to vote against an amendment to make it critical infrastructure and an asset of national significance. As we come into the bushfire season in my community, disasters are a fact of life.”
“They need to defend that decision to their communities, and they need to defend that decision to those families who lost loved ones and those families that called triple 0 and had it not pick up. They made a conscious choice to protect Optus over the Australian people. So we will not be lectured to about the accountability of Optus. Optus are absolutely accountable. We sought to hold them to account, and this government did not want to work with us in that way. As I've said, the Minister for Communications is responsible for communications in this country. This minister is so out of her depth. After five months in the portfolio since sitting on the government benches since 2022, she claims that she is a new minister and not able to do her job correctly. We sought to help that minister.”
“Everyone in this House, including the government, backbenchers and ministers, knows this, and, unfortunately for those opposite, they have to run a protection line for a minister who is not up to the job. They are rightly saying that Optus are at fault. Absolutely, Optus are to blame for this situation, and Optus should be held to account. We should do everything possible to hold Optus to account. In fact, this morning, the coalition, seeking to work in a bipartisan way, put an amendment to this legislation that was very simple and very clear. It sought to double the penalty to Optus from $10 million to $20 million—a very simple amendment. Every person on the opposite side that will stand to speak, every member of this government, made a conscious decision to vote against that amendment and look after Optus.”
“I understand that those opposite have drawn the short straw and have to try and defend the indefensible because the Minister for Communications is missing, but let's make two things quite clear. When three Australians pass away, possibly four, and 600 Australians make that call that nobody wants to make to triple 0 to get the help that they need, when we call out the failings of the Minister for Communications, who is responsible for communications in this country, it is not playing politics. It is called accountability. If you are prepared to put your hand up to be the Minister for Communications in this country, you need to be prepared to take responsibility for the triple 0 emergency system. That is your responsibility. That is your job.”
“The former Liberal government funded the Lilydale Youth Hub, but, when the Albanese Labor government won the 2022 federal election, they cut funding and forced the hub to close down. The government has also slashed Medicare funded mental health sessions from 20 to just 10, halving the spots available for young people in need. I've met with headspace in my community, and I know they are at capacity. Our community needs access to alternative local mental health supports, and I'll continue advocating for the mental health supports our community deserves and needs.”
“This Thursday, 9 October, is headspace Day—an annual day dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians. I'd like to thank the dedicated teams at headspace Lilydale and headspace Knox for the work they do in supporting young people in our community. But, in an electorate that spans over 2,700 square kilometres, we undoubtedly need more services available. The sad reality is that suicide remains the leading cause of death for young Australians aged 18 to 24. Too many young Australians are struggling with wait times, the expense of appointments and the ongoing stigma that leaves many afraid to reach out for support. My community in Casey has felt acutely the government's failure when it comes to mental health support.”
“It's heartbreaking when mums feel that they have to choose between being a mum and having a professional career. We, as parliamentarians, have to do everything we can to ensure that they're able to do both. I always say it is heartbreaking. It's hard for mums. When they're at work they feel guilty that they should be at home, and when they're at home they feel guilty that they're not providing financially for the family. We can't solve that challenge. What we can do is make it easy for them to do both. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with Amy, Jen and Cecilia and meeting little George again so we can provide positive options for all families and make sure families have choice to deliver the best they can in the circumstances that they see fit to their family.”
“I am passionate about making sure that every mum and every professional mum can be a great mum and have the flexibility and opportunities to work. That's why this week it was wonderful to meet with four parents and to hear from Amy, Jen and Cecilia and meet little George and hear their story and about their campaign wanting to drive more flexibility into the system. They're a volunteer led advocacy group established on 7 July 2025—this year—in reaction to the shocking allegations that we saw in my home state of Victoria and the offences there. We know that if you're with loved ones you are safer. I'm prepared to continue to work with them not just to make sure that our children are safe but to make sure that parents have flexibility, options and opportunities. My family lived it, and many families live it.”
“In my community of Casey, childcare deserts and the cost of and access to child care is a significant issue for so many. I spoke in the last parliament many times about the importance of this issue and about how adding supply to child care is crucial. I want to thank, again, Belinda Young and the Mums of the Hills for their advocacy work and doing everything they can to ensure that mums and families in our community can access child care. One of the challenges is this supply—the deserts—but there's also the inflexibility of child care. If you work in the city, you need to travel for an hour-plus to get into the CBD. Unfortunately, as we know, one of the challenges with child care is that so many children get sick. This is a challenge that parents have to face—being stuck in the city, an hour-plus away—when their children get sick.”
“I want to thank the Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans Day Committee, the Vietnam Veterans Outer Eastern Melbourne and all of our local RSLs that put so much in to make sure that day was a special day. As I said at the start, there is no problem here to solve. There is no need for this legislation. In fact, it completely contradicts the statements of the Prime Minister in 2020. It is disappointing and it is heartbreaking that the veterans of our country now have to go through this change when it is not needed, it is not required, it is going to cause damage to our veterans and it serves no purpose for the Australian people.”
“It is beyond belief that this prime minister would say that and is now actively bringing legislation to ensure a similar circumstance could not happen again. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day in my community. It's important that we talk about Vietnam Veterans' Day because we know the challenges that our Vietnam veterans suffered when they returned to Australia. It links to this in terms of not paying respect to our veterans. It was a day that we paid tribute to more than 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War. Their courage, resilience and unwavering dedication forged a legacy that is an integral part of our national story. It was wonderful to join the community to pay tribute to those Vietnam veterans.”
“In 2020, we had the then opposition leader—who was just short of becoming prime minister—happy to write an op-ed talking about how great Teddy Sheean was and how important it was that his honour was recognised. He's now the Prime Minister of this country and has made a decision to bring in legislation that wouldn't recognise this honour. What absolute hypocrisy, what a disgrace to all veterans to that would happen. On 18 June 2020, he also said in a speech to parliament: The point of having an independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal is to ensure that the only considerations are the evidence and merit. The tribunal unanimously supported Tasmanian hero Teddy Sheean getting a VC.”
“This is a prime minister that stands for nothing. Under this legislation, Teddy Sheean would never have received his Victoria Cross. If this legislation were implemented a decade ago, Teddy Sheean would not have received the Victoria Cross. In 2020, our prime minister was very happy to ride on the coattails of the courage of Teddy Sheean, and he coauthored an op-ed in the Daily Telegraph on 24 May 2020, talking about Sheean's immense bravery and how it ought to have been recognised without hesitation. The Prime Minister said: If ever there is an image that captures the definition of courage as grace under pressure… surely there was a deed worthy of the highest military honour… Teddy Sheean deserves the Victoria Cross.”
“What I can say with confidence is that, if Don Parsons were aware of this legislation, his feedback to the government could not be repeated in this House, because it would be considered unparliamentary. But Don Parsons was legend of our local community, and he'd be heartbroken to know that it is harder for veterans today that it has been in the past. Those medals on Anzac Day that we see the veterans and their families wear, particularly the young schoolchildren who wear the medals of their grandparents—this will make it harder for them to wear those medals, because there will be less to be recognised. This legislation will also goes to the heart of the hypocrisy of the Albanese Labor government and the complete hypocrisy of this prime minister. Previous speakers spoken about this, and it's important we continue to highlight this.”
“It's so important that we make sure the next generation are educated and that we help our young people understand these sacrifices. I want to thank and recognise Bill Dobson and the Lilydale RSL, who have initiated the Don Parsons Memorial ANZAC Creative Writing Prize. Don Parsons was a former Lilydale RSL president, who passed away in 2021 while president. Bill wanted to make sure that his legacy continued. The reason Bill wanted to continue this was multifaceted, but, importantly, Don Parsons campaigned, raised awareness and raised money to make sure that the cenotaph in the main street of Lilydale was rebuilt so that our veterans could be recognised. I was lucky enough to know Don Parsons well before he passed.”
“That veteran I mentioned at the start of my speech—when I first engaged with his case, it was through the Lilydale RSL president, Bill Dobson. Not only do RSLs make sure that our veterans are supported and recognised; they open the doors to local students to teach them about the history of the brave Australians who served our country. They teach them not to glorify war but to provide an opportunity to learn about the sacrifice that so many Australians made and to pay our respects to all those who served, those who lost their lives serving and those who are currently serving. I can't help but think about the message that this legislation sends to those RSLs and also to the young people all across Casey and across the community.”
“I want to pay credit to the RSLs of Casey: the Mt Evelyn RSL, the Lilydale RSL, the Upwey Belgrave RSL, the Healesville RSL, the Dandenong Ranges RSL, Yarra Glen RSL, Warburton RSL, the Upper Yarra RSL and the Monbulk RSL, who do so much to make sure that our veterans are supported today and that we recognise those who served. They have not had the opportunity to be consulted about this change in legislation. I've spoken to some of the presidents, who had no idea this was coming. You would think they would. I know many other RSLs have not been consulted, but they deserve the respect to be given the opportunity to engage in this process and not be blindsided. Our RSL presidents come to me time and time again to make sure that our veterans get the recognition they deserve.”
“Anzac Day, in particular, is an important day in our nation's calendar to recognise those veterans. I start Anzac Day every year at the Lilydale RSL. As I deliver some words to the veterans, their families and those there, I look out on thousands and thousands of locals in my community paying tribute to those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice. They understand how important it is to recognise our veterans. I have no doubt every person in my community who attends the ceremonies on Anzac Day would be outraged to learn that we are making it harder to recognise our veterans.”
“Today, instead of recognising those who have gone above and beyond for the peace we are privileged to enjoy today, this Labor government is showing a lack of respect to our veterans and their right to recognition. Medallic recognition of service and, in particular, for acts of gallantry, is an integral part of the Australian Defence Force. It is our way of recognising those who have gone above and beyond for the peace we are privileged to enjoy today. In my community, I have the honour and privilege to recognise our local veterans who have served our country. These veterans have gone on to do so much and give so much back to our community through our local RSLs. In Casey, my community, and also across the nation, we recognise these veterans in many different ways and areas.”
“National Flag Day is a day in which we are meant to celebrate the things that make us proud to be Australian, a day to celebrate the foundations of modern Australia, of our freedom, our opportunity, our tolerance and our egalitarian sense of fairness, foundations upon which Australian men and women have served in our defence to protect and strengthen this nation. Instead of supporting the rights of men and women who served in uniform and generations of personnel who have gone before them, the Albanese Labor government have decided to debate this legislation, which removes the right of review for veterans who served in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq, Somalia, Rwanda, East Timor and the earlier years of the Afghanistan campaign.”
“We ask them to pay a mental health cost. We ask them to sacrifice time with their families, time with their loved ones and time with their communities. They willingly do that. They willingly make the sacrifice to keep us safe. One of the things they would like in return is recognition from this nation for their service. Let's be very clear. This legislation, if passed, makes it harder for our veterans and the families of veterans that gave so much to receive recognition for their service. Why any government would want to put forward legislation that makes that harder is incomprehensible. It is disappointing that, today of all days, as we celebrate National Flag Day, this government want to debate and pass this legislation.”
“That veteran came up to me at that service—he's a Vietnam veteran—gave me a hug and said thank you. He had tears in his eyes; he was overcome with emotion that our nation had recognised his service. Our nation had said to him, 'The sacrifice that you made, both physically and mentally, for our country, to keep us safe, matters.' He was so overwhelmed with emotion. Some might think it's a small thing, but it's a huge thing. So why this government would deem it necessary or advantageous to make it harder for our veterans and their families to get the recognition that they deserve is something that I cannot comprehend. We should always remember as parliamentarians that we ask our veterans, we ask our serving personnel, to pay a significant cost to ensure that we have the freedoms today and into the future. We ask them to pay a physical cost.”
“They are very determined to make sure I know where they stand. I've not had one veteran come and raise this concern with me. I know none of our veterans were consulted. Many haven't raised it because they're not aware this legislation is happening, which I'll get to. But there is no problem here that needs to be solved. We are creating a challenge. We are sending a terrible message to our veterans with the introduction of this legislation to make it harder for those veterans to be recognised and for family members of veterans to have their service recognised. Just recently I had the opportunity to speak at Vietnam Veterans' Day in my community. This is how important recognition is to our veterans. In the previous term of parliament, I was able to help a veteran receive recognition that they deserved.”
“Whenever we have new piece of legislation come to us that we need to review and scrutinise, the first question I always ask myself—the first question any minister or any parliamentarian should ask themselves—is a very basic one, but it's a very important question. That question is: what is the problem we are trying to solve? Every piece of legislation that we bring to this House should be solving a problem for the Australian people. It is disappointing that I have to stand and give this speech today on the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025, because, despite looking at this in great detail and listening to the minister's speech, I cannot see a problem that we need to solve. I'm very lucky in Casey to have many strong RSLs and strong veterans that advocate on a lot of issues.”
“It was a massive effort by the volunteers and their families, with support from the Healesville SES, the Healesville RSL and members of the community. After 24 gruelling hours the team had peddled over 600 kilometres and raised just over $3,300. Congratulations to the team at the Badger Creek CFA on your hard work, sweat and efforts paying off. When I arrived at the brigade I noticed a sign flashing which said the brigade had attended 110 incidents this year. It's a powerful reminder of how much our brigades and volunteers give to our community. To everyone at the Badger Creek CFA: thank you for being there for us when we need you and for always going above and beyond to support others in need.”
“Congratulations to all recipients on receiving awards that reflect your high level of discipline, commitment and leadership. You've done all Scout leaders across Casey proud. Good luck on another year of scouting. The work of our local CFA brigades doesn't end when the siren stop, and that's why I was proud to hop on a bike recently to officially kick off the Badger Creek CFA 24-hour spinathon fundraiser. The team pledged to cycle for 24 hours to raise funds for the annual firefighter stair climb, which supports Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the 000 Foundation. I took the first pedal at 5 pm alongside CFA community safety coordinator Sally. From there, rosters of supporters kept the wheels turning until 5 pm the next day.”
“At Kallista, it was wonderful to present awards and to congratulate them on their achievements, including Lachlan, who was awarded the Joey Scout Challenge Award, and Jayden, who received the Grey Wolf Award—the highest achievement that you can receive in youth cub section. I'm looking forward to heading out to Upwey, later this week, to the footy club to use their rooms, which are a great community asset, to celebrate the local scouts for the whole of the Sherbrooke,Yarra Ranges, ARAP, which covers all of the electorate of Casey. Scouting groups play such an important role in supporting our young people, showing them how to lead, to be confident and to trust in their abilities. This wouldn't be possible without the volunteers and the parents who devote their time to the scouting cause.”
“It's a privilege to be able to speak on the mighty work of the scout groups in my electorate, who support so many young leaders. I was able to visit many of these groups when they held their annual report and presentation, also known as an ARAP. Over the past month, I attended the 1st Kallista Scout Group's and the 1st Mooroolbark Scout Group's ARAP evenings. I was also at the 1st Lilydale Scout Group's presentation where the joeys, the cubs, the scouts, the venturers and the rovers put on a very successful progress dinner as they shared what they'd done in the last year.”
“I'll be back here in our community before you get back from the magistrates court.' And that's what happens—local criminals commit a crime, get bail, turn up at a police station and taunt the police officers because the police do not have the support they need. Brad Battin and the state Liberals have a plan to make sure all Victorians are safe, and I'm backing them in November of 2026.”
“That's why I'm backing Brad Battin and our local state MPs Bridget Vallence, Cindy McLeish, David Hodgett and Nicole Werner—to make sure that they can keep Victorians safe. They've got a simple plan. If you break bail, you will face jail. It's not that complicated. There have to be consequences for your actions. This plan is going to close loopholes, end the exemptions and restore real consequences for criminal behaviour. That is what we need. We need to feel safe in our community. If you commit a crime and there are no consequences, you will feel embolden to do it again and again. I've heard stories from local police officers who have been taunted by criminals that are saying: 'Lock me up.”
“This is a road that impacts tourism; it impacts safety; it impacts all of our local community. The state government have been holding this money for almost six years. It's time they get on and deliver the project. When I'm out doorknocking and talking to my community, one of the concerns that is raised the most is the increase in crime we're experiencing in Victoria. It's heartbreaking to hear the stories of people fearing for their lives and to see the videos and the testimonials. Criminal incidents in the Yarra Ranges area of my community are up 22.1 per cent; in Nillumbik, 38 per cent; and in Manningham, 9.8 per cent. These aren't statistics; these are real people that are impacted by these incidents. The Allan Labor government has failed the Victorian people time and time again.”
“As the member for Flinders knows, we have a lot of tradies in Casey, and they find it hard when their utes—their tool of the trade—are damaged and off the road. This costs them time and money. One day, the electorate of Flinders might get more tradies than in Casey, but it's not today. It's important we continue to invest in these projects. A project I've spoken about a lot—and I will continue to talk about until the Allan Labor government get their act together—is the Maroondah Highway and Killara Road in Coldstream. In 2019, the Liberal government gave the state government $20 million to deliver the project. In 2025, we are still waiting, despite the Allan Labor government committing to start the project at the end of 2024 and the start of 2025.”
“I've had experiences when living and driving in our community where I have hit potholes that have resulted in dangerous situations for me and my family, and I hear about this time and time again from our community. It also drives the cost of living up for our community to replace tyres and to pay for mechanical work. It is completely unacceptable in 2025 that the roads in Casey are not first-class roads. The state Labor government and the Albanese Labor government have continued to pull money out of road maintenance in our state and in my community, and it is unacceptable. It impacts the businesses of Casey, particularly our farmers and agricultural businesses. When they are trying to take their quality produce to the markets, Woolworths, Coles or the shops, potholes damage the produce, resulting in wastage and cost for our businesses.”
“They're saying: 'If I'm investing in my business through technology, partner with me. Let me have a bit of that back as tax relief.' That's what they deserve. If small business is the heart of our economy and our community in Casey, roads are a crucial part of the infrastructure to allow our businesses to thrive and to allow the community to go about their day. We do not have close networks where schools are five minutes away. We're an electorate of 2,700 square kilometres, and people have to drive hours at a time to get the support that they need. The roads in Casey and in Victoria aren't up to scratch. It's harder for families to get to school, tradies to get to work or locals to get to shops and appointments. It is very dangerous.”
“That's why we had a policy that, if a tech spend for a small business with under $10 million of revenue exceeded $4,000, they would receive a tax deduction of $2,000 to encourage them to continue to invest in technology to drive productivity and to ensure that their business was sustainable into the long term. There is so much more that needs to be done to help our small businesses. They essentially want us to create a framework so the economy is strong so that they can go about their business. That's what we need to do. That's what this government is failing to do. But there are ways, as I've just outlined, that we can continue to support them. All of these initiatives are unique because they're not handouts of cash to these businesses. That's not what they're asking for.”
“Our three-year entrepreneurship accelerator program was a brilliant program that allowed new businesses in their first two years to reduce tax on the first $200,000 of taxable income that they earn. Many small and family businesses in those first couple of years don't earn that taxable income, but, when they did, we were going to let them keep more of it, because we knew that every small and family business would put it back into the business to continue to grow. We also, despite the government cutting the instant asset write-off, committed to making it permanent and increasing it to $30,000 for businesses. I've spoken before about the importance of the digital economy and the tech sector for our country and for our businesses.”
“In the last term of parliament, this government, through the Minister for Small Business, brought forward only one bill in three years to help small and family businesses in our country. They have been completely abandoned. Since the election result on 3 May, we have not heard this government talk about the need to help and support small business. They have continued to vacate the field, continued to let families down. I was proud to be part of a coalition government—you hear a bit of spin from those opposite about our policies at the last election, but I was proud of our policies when it came to small business, and I will continue to work internally to make sure we bring forward positive policies to help small business.”
“In many ways, it takes a level of courage, and it is a family endeavour, because it's not just the husband or the wife; many times, both are in the business. If a wife is running the business, the husband also carries the financial stress of that irregular pay. The sad reality under the Albanese Labor government is that we've seen record insolvencies for small business. We've seen more small businesses going under. That means more families not being able to provide the financial security that their family needs, that their kids need, that the community needs. So we need a strong small-business sector to have strong families so he we have strong communities, and that ladders up to a strong nation. But this government has abandoned small businesses. We do not hear them talk at all about small business in this country.”
“I've not seen a large multinational sponsoring any of our local clubs. When our small businesses are strong, our families are strong, because every small business is a family business. It might be a first-generation new business or a second- or third-generation, but someone in that family has taken a risk. They have put on the line their final safety to create something, to create a better life for themselves and for their children. Earning a wage is important. I've worked as an employer before, and it's important that we have that. There is a sense of security knowing that every week or every fortnight the money that you've earnt as a wage will go into your account, but there is that insecurity for small business owners and sacrifices that they make.”
“I'm very lucky to represent the electorate of Casey. It's where I've spent my life as a third-generation local. One of the core parts of our community is our small businesses, and I spent 15 years, prior to politics, working in and with small business. I always make sure I talk about the strength of our small businesses but acknowledge their challenges and make sure we are making a difference in their lives—because small business, really, is the heartbeat of a community like mine. They do so much to give back, sponsoring football clubs, any charity, any organisation—a small business will be there giving back. I get to go to many footy clubs and many cricket clubs. A lot of clubs have the signage around the side. Deputy Speaker, you will know, representing your electorate, that they are all small and family businesses.”
“Again, the problem with so much of this government's legislation and so much of their spin is that spinning these outcomes 12 months later doesn't actually make a difference for the Australian people. Consistently, this prime minister will spin outcomes and put impressive-sounding names on bills that actually don't deliver anything, but, again and again, it's the Australian people that pay the price, because the reality is that this prime minister doesn't actually have any solutions that are making it easier for the Australian people. He's making it harder for Australians to get ahead. They have to hide the outcomes from the Australian people, but everyone at home knows it, because their costs are going up and their wages aren't keeping up at the same time.”