Collins, Julie Maree MP

Ms COLLINS (Franklin—Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Small Business) (14:40): I thank the member for his question. If he met with small businesses and spoke to them on a regular basis, he would know that there are range of issues that small businesses are raising, including, of course, staff shortages. He would also know that there are many small businesses paying above award wages to maintain their staff, given the staff shortages. He would also know that when low-paid workers get a pay rise, many of these workers spend their money in local small businesses.