Senator CASH (Western Australia—Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:54): I thank Senator Davey for her question. I acknowledge all the work that Senator Davey does with rural and regional small businesses, in particular in the lead-up to Christmas, where each and every one of us should be looking to spend whatever money we can with our small and family businesses around Australia. Senator Ayres interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Ayres! Senator CASH: As we all know, small and family businesses are the lifeblood of the Australian economy— Senator Ayres interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Ayres! Senator CASH: particularly when it comes to our rural and regional communities— Senator Ayres interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Ayres, I have called you to order by name three times. Cease interjecting. Senator CASH: As we know, despite the comments from Senator Ayres across the chamber, these businesses have been the key to Australia's economic recovery. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator CASH: Senator Ayres's colleague, through an interjection, has said, 'Talk about jobs, talk about employment.' Can I tell you— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator O'Sullivan. Senator CASH: I can tell you, Senator Ayres, that on this side of the chamber we're always happy to talk about jobs. Let me assure you. Since we were elected to government, the economy has created almost 1.4 million jobs. Look at where Treasury said unemployment would be at the outset of COVID and, Senator Ayres, look at where unemployment is now. It is because of the policies put in place by the Morrison and Joyce government that so many more Australians have work than otherwise would. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right and my left! Senator CASH: What we want to do is say a big thank you to all of the small and family businesses out there because, colleagues, as you all know, the closest those on the other side have ever come to a small business is to close it down. That's what you want to do: close down small businesses across Australia. Just look at the tax policy you took to the last election—$387 billion in additional taxes. Senator Ayres, what would that have done to all of the small businesses in Australia? If you close down a small business, people lose jobs. Honourable senators interjecting— Senator CASH: That's right, you want to talk about jobs? You talk about job losses, we talk about backing Australians each and every way and making sure that they have jobs. The PRESIDENT: Senator Davey, before I go to your supplementary question, I remind you, Attorney-General, to direct your marks through the chair, not through another senator.