MJF999

This weekend, I was in Berowra in Sydney’s north with @JulianLeeser. We visited a nursery, a mechanic, an electrician, and an air conditioning business. Such small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but they’re doing it really tough right now. Here’s four pressures that are turning aspiration into anxiety, and good times into hard times. One: the fuel crisis – soaring petrol and diesel prices are hitting small businesses head-on. Two: insurance – insurance companies are dictating to businesses what they can charge for services that doesn't take into consideration the rising costs of doing business. Three: apprentices – taking on young workers is incredibly difficult, and clearly, the Albanese Government’s incentive handout system isn’t delivering retention levels to the degree that’s necessary. Four: government-funded NDIS jobs have created a sector that’s taking workers and talent away from the small business economy. These are just some of the hurdles small businesses are dealing with. As for the fuel crisis, the Albanese Government should take up the Coalition’s proposal and halve the fuel tax. That measure would reduce fuel prices by 25 cents a litre for three months. Our plan is for temporary and targeted relief that’s not inflationary – because we’ve identified savings to fund the measure. The Albanese Government should act now and put Australians first.

Malcolm Turnbull says the Liberals must find votes in the centre rather than “chasing One Nation down that right wing populist burrow”. Full story: bit.ly/4bR6Odq

"We don't have a gas supply problem. We have a gas export problem." @Nicolette_Boele Australia Institute research shows a 25% tax on gas exports could solve the gas crisis – and raise $17 billion every year at the same time. #auspol