Tuesday, 8 September 2026

Topics: small business; trusts; housing; algorithms; freedom of speech; digital duty of care; censorship.

E&OE……………………..

Tim Wilson: It's lovely to see you, but Australian small businesses are hurting right now. We're in an environment where small businesses simply do not know what the law is going to be and how they're going to back themselves in. We've had record small business insolvencies, collapses in small business confidence. We've seen a massive loss in the profitability of small business across the nation. What small business now need more than ever is hope. They need a sense of confidence of a way forward, and instead, the government continues to leave landmines across the economy in their budget to undermine small business that are exploding on them, but also on the government themselves. The government doesn't understand its own Budget, they don't understand its own consequences, and every time it tries to put forward a fix, they just end up discovering more tax landmines laid across the economy for small business. And it's no better for households. Young Australians also need hope right now, and we know that under the Budget, by design, in the Albanese government's Budget, by design, rents are going up. We're seeing a smash in confidence. We're seeing fewer homes built. And of course, the price of first home entry-level homes is also increasing. The system is being set up by Labor against young Australians and those that want to get ahead, and we need change. We need change towards an economy that works for Australians, that backs in their energy, their initiative, and their enterprise, and gives them a pathway forward, not to look at their shoes, but to look to the horizon.

Journalist: There's a lot of focus today on social media, digital duty of care, and algorithms. There’s a lot of small businesses, or businesses in general out there that are pretty concerned that they won't be able to access customers if there's changes to the algorithm. Do you think that's a valid concern?

Tim Wilson: That is absolutely a valid concern that we have laws that work to back Australians and particularly Australian small business. The government needs to come clean on its laws and address the fundamental problems that sit behind algorithms and how they're going to work under their new scheme. There's also very deep concern in the Australian community that the attempts by the government will just be another in a series of measures to censor and silence Australians. We saw this with their freedom of information Bill. We saw this with their disinformation and misinformation Bill. We continue to see attempts to censor Australians by the Albanese government. That's why getting this bill right matters. They need to put their content out on the table. Australians need to see it because trust with this government is so low.

Journalist: People in their own party though, support things like banning the burning of the Australian flag or certain things being said in the public forum. So how is that consistent with people saying that this is censorship?

Tim Wilson: Well, the problem we've got is the government is now actively seeking to censor, and has been active in attempting to censor any view they don't like. What we need is laws that protect Australia's national identity, our security, because that's the umbrella in which all our rights and freedoms are anchored behind. But when it comes to the government engaged in everyday censorship of opinions they simply don't like because it challenges the government, I don't see that as a way forward and isn't respecting the institutions, the traditions, and the foundation of our democracy.

Journalist: Isn't this about reducing harm on the internet though?

Tim Wilson: There’s absolutely a part of the conversation which is around harm. That's why we need clarity and around transparency around what the government is seeking to do. The Albanese government has a long history of trying to censor, silence, and bully voices they don't like. We know that they tried to shut down access to public information through their freedom of information Bill. We know through their misinformation and disinformation Bill that they tried to censor and silence opinions they don't like. The burden of responsibility is on them because they are the ones that have so little trust from the Australian community, that they're prepared to back in our free society. Thank you.

[ENDS]