There is no one there who really understands small business. The National Party, particularly in Queensland, is helping small business deliberately to create new jobs. That is why I can say the National Party has more in common with the worker and any other party represented in this chamber. It is a party of self- made people who, every time they m ake something, also provide more opportunities for working men and women. In Queensland some 500,000 people are involved in small business.
Small business is an under-represented section in and outside parliament.
It was not considered important enough for the National Economic Summit Conference. More needs to be done in future to weld this section of business into a recognised organisation. Small business ultimately must develop as much clout as the Australian Council of Trade Unions and be as effective as the National Farmers' Federation. My party will be working with all the vigor and force that it can must er to achieve this. The small business section needs a tax system that will not bankrupt small operators.