Sunday, 18 October 2026

Topics: Albanese government psychodrama; small business tax; ATO credit card ban; EU FTA

E&OE……………………..

Tim Wilson: The psychodrama within the Albanese government continues. This morning we had the Industry Minister, Tim Ayres, refuse to say that relationships between the Prime Minister and the Treasurer are healthy. What we know is the Prime Minister enjoys humiliating his Treasurer over a series of measures from taxes to the credit card surcharge ban. It is quite clear the Prime Minister and the Treasurer are in a deep state of conflict, not focused on advancing the interests of the Australian people. This is what is so distressing about this government. Their focus is not on how to advance and improve the welfare of the Australian people at one of the most challenging points in our nation's history. On top of that, this morning we have had confirmed by both the Industry Minister and the Assistant Treasurer that the government is entertaining a 60% tax on small businesses through trusts. When the Assistant Treasurer won't rule out a 60% tax on small businesses through their trusts, it says the government's only priority is to continue feeding their spending addiction that is fuelling inflation. The government clearly doesn't understand the impact of its small business taxes, or they are actively seeking to tax small businesses by up to 60%. This is not a way to build a stronger nation. The Albanese Government is torturing small businesses through their higher tax, higher regulation agenda, and of course small businesses are already facing record small business insolvencies and closures, continue to face the problems of higher taxes, higher regulations, and higher costs, particularly through inflation. We need a change of government so that Australian small businesses can have hope. Australian small businesses need hope now more than ever because of the consequences of the Albanese Government, and now their 60% taxes on small businesses, which are going to punish families, livelihoods, and of course households. 

Journalist: Just on the ATO credit card surcharge ban, do you find it surprising that the government didn’t predict this backlash from small businesses?

Tim Wilson: At every point the Albanese Government has failed to understand the implementation consequences of their higher taxes and higher charges agenda. The ATO surcharge ban is something the Treasurer signed off on, and the Assistant Treasurer has now had to admit they knew about in July of this year, and itt continues to have massive impacts because of higher costs on small businesses pushing them to the wall.

Journalist: So what is the Coalition's solution here? Is it reasonable for the tax office to absorb the $200 million per year to keep accepting credit card payments?

Tim Wilson: It is absolutely reasonable that we back small businesses to be able to meet their needs and to balance what is a very tricky economic environment. We know full well we have record small business insolvencies and closures. The only answer from the Albanese Government is to turn around to small businesses and say ‘let them eat taxes’. I am sorry, Australians need hope for the future, small businesses need hope for the future, and it doesn't come from the Albanese Government imposing higher taxes and costs on the Australian community.

Journalist: So who pays for this?

Tim Wilson: No matter what happens, consumers pay the cost. The question is whether small businesses have a pathway to get ahead and to make sure they can meet their tax obligations. At the moment, the Albanese Government is only focused on how it is going to make it harder for small businesses to keep their doors open and to make sure that they can support and employ Australians.

Journalist: The Chamber of Commerce is urging Coalition MPs to back the free trade agreement with the European Union, saying there is no way it can be renegotiated. Have you had talks with business leaders?

Tim Wilson: I speak to people about topics all the time, and our focus is making sure we get the best outcome for Australia. We believe in free trade. We have always believed in free trade, but we also believe in trade agreements that advance Australia's national interest. We know the National Farmers' Federation isn't out there arguing for this trade deal. We know that Ausveg, Meat & Livestock Australia are not out there arguing for this trade deal. We have to have a trade deal that advances Australia's national interest, not simply a trade deal so the Trade Minister can sign it off so he can go on and retire.

Journalist: But would you really scuttle a deal that is worth an estimated 10 billion dollars to the Australian economy?

Tim Wilson: Our focus is on making sure we have a trade deal that advances Australia's national interest. At this point, the Trade Minister has made a complete hash of discussing with the Australian community, and of course the Opposition, the consequences of his trade deal. We are still going through parliamentary and of course Coalition processes to make our final decision, but one of the most important things is that this deal advances Australia's national interest.

[ENDS]