Hon Tim Wilson MP
Shadow Treasurer
Federal Member for Goldstein

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Shadow Minister for Skills and Training
Shadow Minister for Small Business
Senator for the Northern Territory

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

CHALMERS’ ‘CONFIDENCE’ PACKAGE JUST DOUBLE SPEAK FOR SMALL BUSINESS CRISIS

“With consumer confidence at its lowest level in Australian history and record small business insolvencies, the Treasurer needs to take clearer action to back in small business when they’re being lumbered with higher costs,” said Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson.

Mr Wilson’s comments follow the Treasurer’s announced small business ‘coordination’ package.

“Small business is on the frontline of a cost of business crisis in an inflationary environment. Only yesterday the Reserve Bank told small business to absorb higher merchant fees, and Fair Work told them they have to absorb a higher wage bill,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Albanese government’s policies are running the Australian economy down, and small business is on the frontline of the rising cost frontier.”

“What Australian small businesses need is confidence and hope from the government, not repackaged ‘confidence’ measures that do nothing to address the confidence crisis.”

Shadow Minister for Small Business, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said small businesses are under real pressure and paying the price for a government that has lost control of the economy.

“Small businesses are doing it tough. Costs are up and they are being stretched at every turn.

“This is a small business crisis. When small business struggles, Australia struggles.

“Today’s announcement talks about flexibility and access to credit, but it does not change what small businesses are dealing with every day.

“Under this government, everything costs more. Energy costs more. Fuel costs more. And that flows through to every small business in the country.

“Small businesses do not need more announcements. They need lower costs, less red tape and a government that gets the basics right.”

ENDS.