Today the Senate supported (34 in favour, 25 against) the Australian Greens amendments to the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015. The Bill seeks to introduce protection for unfair terms in standard form contracts for businesses with less than 20 employees.

Greens spokesperson for Small Business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, “The Greens moved amendments to increase the threshold for coverage from $100,000 to $300,000 for contracts up to 12 months long; and $300,000 to $1 million for contracts greater than 12 months.

Australia's natural environment is the tourism industry's most important asset. The Greens are committed to protecting the environment and caring for the people who work in tourism by ensuring a strong sustainable tourism industry. The mining boom threatens some of our most spectacular places such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Tarkine as well as contributing to driving up the Australian dollar, which has hurt tourism businesses.

> ENSURING THE GROWTH OF TOURISM

The Australian Greens launched a plan to help Queensland's small businesses flourish at a locally owned Brisbane florist today.

"The Greens are proposing a company tax rate cut from 30% to 28% for companies with turnovers of less than $2 million dollars, changes to depreciation write-offs and strengthening the role of the national Small Business Commissioner," Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters said.

"In Queensland there are more than 400 000 small businesses which will benefit from our plan.

While everyone now recognises the importance of Tasmania's ‘brand' the Greens were the first political party to recognise the importance of Tasmania's clean, green image as our competitive advantage. Well marketed identifiable products, adhering to ethical, health and environmental standards will command price premiums and continue to grow Tasmania's world class reputation.

The Australian Greens have announced a plan to ease the pressure on small business by expanding tax breaks and strengthening the role of the national Small Business Commissioner.

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said The Greens’ plan to lower the company tax rate from 30% to 28% for companies with turnovers of less than $2 million dollars would be a huge boost for small business in Western Australia.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for small business, said Tony Abbott's offensive statements in Launceston today exposed his lack of vision for Tasmanian small business, the engine room of our State economy.

"Tony Abbott claimed today he has a 'special focus' on the Tasmanian economy but what his statements really show is that he has no vision for the small business sector that is the backbone of this state," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

The Australian Greens have announced a plan to ease the pressure on small business by expanding tax breaks and strengthening the role of the national Small Business Commissioner.

These new initiatives follow yesterday's announcement that the Greens would lower the company tax rate from 30% to 28% for companies with turnovers of less than $2 million dollars.

Small businesses play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs to almost half the workforce and they are part of the community in a way big business can never be. The Greens know the burden and risk that many people take on when they establish a business.

The old parties take the small business sector for granted, while their policies invariably promote the interests of big business and their lobbyists.