Dr EMERSON (Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs) (11:31 AM) —I will give a very brief answer because I am conscious of the desire of other ministers to respond to questions. In relation to the various questions you have asked about different programs, I will seek to respond but I cannot, in good conscience, give a date by which the department may be able to do that. I am not aware of any circuses coming to town, but if Ashton’s Circus is coming to town I am sure you will let me know!

In relation to the resource super profits tax, I do not regard that line of questioning as being serious. We are still going through a consultation process as set out in the response to the Henry review. I would ask the coalition to reconsider its position opposing the resource super profits tax and, in the process, opposing small business tax breaks. The Liberal Party, a once great party that professed to be the party of small business, is now the party of small business betrayal. I think it is time the party rebadged itself, got on board and actually supported the 2.4 million small businesses in Australia that would benefit from the instant write-off of assets valued at up to $5,000 and the 720,000 small businesses that would get a head-start reduction in the company tax rate.

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolio