Media releases

2015

Go online to boost your business bottom line

Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb today announced a new initiative to assist Australian businesses capture opportunities in China’s rapidly growing online retail markets.

Start-ups to get a major boost with new laws passed

I was pleased to see the Senate pass new laws to improve employee share schemes and provide the start-up sector with a massive boost.

Extending consumer like protections to small businesses across Australia

Today I introduced legislation to extend unfair contract term protections for small business.

Introduction of further small business legislation

The Government will today introduce legislation for three more measures to support small business as part of the 2015 Budget’s $5.5 billion Jobs and Small Business package.

Food and Grocery Code of Conduct now in effect

I am pleased to announce that no obstacles remain to retailers signing on to the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Food and Grocery) Regulation 2015 – The Food and Grocery Code of C

Australia to lead APEC data flows project to increase small business trade

Launch of Australia-led APEC project to enhance international trade and business opportunities for small business and family enterprise. Project will seek to harmonise data and inf

$20,000 immediate deduction for assets passes

The hard working women and men of Australian small business were delivered surety to make the most of the Government’s Jobs and Small Business package today with key measures passing through the Pa

Meeting of Ministers for Consumer Affairs

Today I hosted a meeting of State and Territory Consumer Affairs Ministers.

Government moves to get Single Touch Payroll right

The Government will undertake further consultation with the business community as it looks to cut red tape for employers by simplifying tax and superannuation reporting obligations through Single T

Statement on Woolworths committing to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

I welcome the decision by Woolworths to commit to The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Food and Grocery) Regulation 2015 – The Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

A friend for Small Business and Family Enterprise – The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

Today I introduced the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bills.

Statement on Bill Shorten’s actions in the House

Today’s stunt by Bill Shorten and the ALP in the Parliament was another example of Labor playing politics.

Start-ups to get a major boost with new laws

The start-up sector will soon receive a massive boost as new laws to improve employee share schemes passed through the House of Representatives today and were transmitted to the Senate for passage.

Depreciation for farmers brought forward

Australian farmers can now claim a tax deduction on all capital expenditure on water facilities, fodder storage assets and fencing incurred since the 2015 Budget was handed down at 7:30pm on 12&nbs

Shorten shows contempt for small business

He still fails to recognise small businesses are the key to our nation’s future jobs and prosperity.

ACCC to probe Launceston petrol prices

The Federal Member for Bass Andrew Nikolic and I welcome the announcement that Launceston will be the subject of the ACCC's second probe into regional petrol prices in Australia.

Banks commended for passing on interest rate cut

I commend the banks which have already pledged to pass on the interest rate cut announced by the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) yesterday.

Supporting start-ups and entrepreneurship

The hard working women and men of Australian small business are the engine room of our economy. Their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit will drive Australia’s economic future. 

Reforms delivering lower electricity bills

Consumers will see reductions in electricity prices as a result of Australian Government-led reforms to the energy sector.

ACCC’s carbon monitoring report - March quarter

I welcome the ACCC’s latest carbon monitoring report which shows that significant cost savings from the removal of the carbon tax are being passed on to consumers.