Mr CREAN(4.17 p.m.) —We support these amendments because they are, again, precisely what we argued for when this legislation was before the House. The Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs (Mr Prosser) then rejected our proposals. He is now accepting them, so we welcome that change.

I simply want to place on record the fact that the minister was given the opportunity to say what he was going to do for small business. He was given the opportunity to say what they would do in relation to the Charlie Bell report. He was given the opportunity to establish the targets and benchmark by which he could be measured in terms of doing something for small business. And he rejected every opportunity.

The reality is that he has no intention of looking after the interests of small business. Even when he has the opportunity in this House to come in and set the record straight, he will not do it. He has to stick to the written text—prepared words, no policies. That is your problem. The reality is that small business are going to desert you in droves because you are not delivering for them. You pretended you would. You have not done it.

I would suggest to you that you start getting some answers out there because there are some very angry small businesses. You will bear the brunt of it. You deserve to.

Question resolved in the affirmative.