Anne Aly

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister reported that over 1.4 million new companies had been registered since the government took office, averaging 27,490 per month. She highlighted the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off, two-year loss carry-back, and $10.2 billion in annual regulatory burden reduction. She identified lack of policy certainty and chaos from the opposition as risks to small business confidence.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister announced that the $20,000 instant asset write-off had been made permanent. She noted that around 300,000 businesses had claimed the write-off in the 2024-25 financial year. She explained that the measure allowed businesses to write off multiple assets throughout the year, providing confidence for long-term planning and investment.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that the $20,000 instant asset write-off was made permanent, and a two-year loss carry-back was extended for companies with up to $1 billion turnover. She noted the removal of 497 nuisance tariffs, saving businesses $127 million annually, and free access to mandatory standards. She warned that the opposition had voted against tax cuts for workers and sole traders.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister stated that the government believed every Australian deserved the opportunity to participate and succeed, regardless of background. She listed measures such as paid parental leave, tax cuts, minimum wage increases, education reforms, and healthcare improvements as ways to deliver real change. She emphasised that a strong sense of belonging was critical for aspiration to flourish. She criticised the three right-wing parties for believing Australia was weakened by diversity and for failing to defend multiculturalism, contrasting this with the government's belief in aspiration for all Australians.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister said the government aimed to improve cash flow and cut operating costs by using specific steps to lower regulatory burdens. She pointed out that the budget contained $3.5 billion in aid for small firms. This involved keeping the $20,000 immediate asset deduction and the two-year loss carry-back rules in place permanently. It also meant allowing startups to claim refunds for losses and getting rid of minor tariffs. She mentioned that the Business Council of Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and several industry groups reacted positively. They praised these actions for boosting cash flow and strengthening confidence.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister listed measures including faster payment times, streamlined construction codes, free TAFE, and halved fuel excise. She highlighted $3.5 billion in new budget measures, including a permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off and loss refundability for startups. She noted that regulatory costs would be cut by $10.2 billion through the 'tell us once' approach. She confirmed tax cuts for sole traders and further work on payroll tax harmonization.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that the budget included $3.5 billion in new business tax relief. She highlighted that the $20,000 instant asset write-off was made permanent, saving small businesses around $32 million annually in compliance costs. The Minister noted the introduction of a permanent two-year loss carry-back and a commitment to cutting regulatory costs by over $10 billion. She also mentioned improvements to skills recognition and skilled migration systems to help small businesses access a skilled workforce.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister stated that over 26,000 new small businesses were established monthly. She highlighted the National Small Business Strategy and measures to reduce energy costs, including a draft default market offer proposing up to 21 per cent drop in electricity costs. She also noted access to the home battery program and efforts to boost fuel supply.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister clarified that the funding in question was public, not secret. She stated that an active funding process had been stopped after concerns were raised. She reiterated that all publicly funded organizations must adhere to standards expected by Australian taxpayers regarding social cohesion and appropriate conduct.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister repeated that all funded organizations must meet taxpayer expectations. She confirmed that an active submission had been stopped due to concerns about social cohesion. She stated she had previously addressed this matter in parliament and would not elaborate further.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister stated that the government expected funded organizations to abide by the law and taxpayer standards. She confirmed that she was investigating the matter and would provide further updates shortly.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister stated that she was made aware of the issue in the last 24 hours. She confirmed that she had instructed the department to halt any further actions on the grant or funding process.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister noted that 800,000 new small businesses had started since the government took office. She announced the extension of the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program and the Small Business Debt Helpline. The minister highlighted the National Small Business Strategy, extended instant asset write-offs, tax cuts for 1.5 million sole traders, and unfair trading practice protections. She stated that these measures provided certainty for small businesses to thrive.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister emphasized the government's commitment to fairness and equality for all Australians regardless of background. She addressed concerns from the Indian diaspora about feeling unsafe after recent rallies and political comments, affirming their belonging and contributions. She condemned past and present scapegoating of Lebanese, African, Chinese, and Indian communities, stating the government would call out attempts to divide society to strengthen cohesion.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister reported over 800,000 new small businesses since 2022. She highlighted $2 billion in supports, including energy bill relief, paused beer excise indexation, and extended instant asset write-offs. She mentioned mental health supports, free TAFE, cyber resilience programs, and ACCC enforcement against unfair contracts and phoenixing.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister noted the establishment of a standalone cabinet minister for multicultural affairs and a new office. She condemned recent anti-immigration protests and racism, particularly targeting Indian communities. The minister emphasized that multiculturalism was about empowerment and inclusion, not just festivals. She highlighted support for special envoys combating Islamophobia and antisemitism, and affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring all Australians feel safe and at home.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister stated that there were 800,000 more new small businesses since the government took office in 2022, with 35 per cent female-led and 40 per cent migrant-led. She highlighted that small businesses employ over five million Australians and contribute $590 billion to the economy. She noted the introduction of the National Small Business Strategy and recent roundtables to address sector issues.

Answer from Anne Aly

The minister reported that over 800,000 new small businesses had been created since 2022, employing five million people. She highlighted $2 billion in targeted supports, including instant asset write-offs and energy bill relief. She announced plans to further extend asset write-offs and implement tax cuts for sole traders. She noted the release of the National Small Business Strategy and ongoing engagement with business representatives.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that the government had reduced out-of-pocket costs for early childhood education by 17 per cent, saving a family on $120,000 $2,768. She highlighted a 15 per cent pay rise for educators, covering 80 per cent of the workforce, and a $72 million workforce package. She noted that 41,900 more educators were in the sector. She mentioned replacing the activity test with a three-day guarantee of subsidised care, saving 70,000 families $1,370. She criticized the opposition for having no plan and for wanting to fund nuclear energy instead of education.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister reported that there were 42,000 more educators, 1,189 more services, and 97,000 more children in care since 2022. She stated that cheaper childcare reforms had reduced out-of-pocket costs by 17 per cent, saving families an average of $4,400. She highlighted the three-day guarantee, which would save 70,000 families $1,370 a year, and $1 billion set aside to build new services. She criticized the opposition for having no plan and intending to cut essential services.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister reported that 41,900 more educators and 1,083 more services had been added, with 97,000 more children enrolled. She stated that one million families were saving approximately $2,700 due to cheaper childcare reforms and that vacancies had decreased by 22 per cent. She identified the opposition's rejection of the three-day guarantee and other cost-of-living measures as risks that would leave families worse off.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister outlined reforms focused on affordability, supply, and workforce stability. She noted that a family earning $120,000 is better off by $2,768 annually due to cheaper childcare. She highlighted fee caps linked to wage increases, limiting fee rises to 4.4 per cent initially and 4.2 per cent subsequently. She warned that the opposition's lack of policy and reliance on cuts would leave families worse off, contrasting this with the government's commitment to building early learning centers and guaranteeing 72 hours of subsidized care per fortnight.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister reported that over one million families had saved on out-of-pocket costs and that 200,000 workers were eligible for a 15 per cent wage increase. She noted a 22 per cent drop in vacancy advertisements and an increase of 97,000 children in care. She announced a $1 billion investment in regional services and a three-day guarantee for early learning. She warned that the opposition's lack of policy and focus on corporate lunches would leave families worse off.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that over one million families had benefited from cheaper childcare reforms, with a family earning $120,000 saving around $2,768 since September 2023. She introduced the Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025, which guarantees 72 hours of subsidised early learning a fortnight, increasing to 100 hours for First Nations families. She noted this would save over 66,000 families an average of $1,370 per year. She warned that the opposition's planned cuts posed a risk to these benefits.

Answer from Anne Aly

The Minister stated that over a million families had benefited from cheaper childcare reforms, with a family earning $120,000 saving around $2,766. She highlighted fee caps and a 15 per cent wage increase for as many as 200,000 early childhood staff, which had reduced workforce vacancy rates by 22 per cent. She warned that the opposition had opposed these measures and would likely cut funding to pay for corporate lunches.