Mr BILLSON —My question is directed to the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business. Can the minister inform the House of progress with the implementation of the government's fair trading reforms?

Mr REITH (Workplace Relations and Small Business) —I thank the member for Dunkley for his question. There is a lot to be said about what the government is doing in implementing its reforms, because small business is terribly important. The small business community have been creating more jobs. The more help you give them in a reasonable way, the more jobs you will see. I compliment the member for Dunkley. He is the member for all the people in Dunkley but he is a great advocate for small business in Dunkley and right across the Mornington Peninsula. It is very important that they have a strong voice in the parliament, and he has done that.

It is a copybook classic case of good policy making: we had the Reid committee. We announced the results of the Reid committee. We introduced the legislation and we passed the legislation. We have set up a disputes mediation adviser and we have given more funds to the ACCC. The ACCC is taking complaints on the unconscionable conduct provisions. I believe there is a test case already under way. We also have small business ACCC specialists in each state to help small business. This is a classic case where we said we would look after small business, where we had a clear policy and where we have ploughed ahead with the implementation of that policy for the benefit of small business. This Prime Minister and this government are unashamedly pro small business.

Mr Howard —Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper .