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.

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

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.

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.

The Australian Greens understand the pressure that small businesses are feeling. We also recognise that a healthy small business sector means a strong Australian economy. They play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs to almost half the workforce. Small businesses are also part of the community in a way big business can never be.

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

Australian Greens spokesperson for small business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says the Greens' fully costed 2% tax cut to small businesses would support the companies that really need it in Tasmania. Small businesses employ 106,000 Tasmanians, almost half the island's labour force.

"The Greens are standing up for the small business sector which is vital for employment in Tasmania," Senator Whish-Wilson said.

"Supporting small businesses in Tasmania, with a full 2% tax cut, would help to ease the pressure they're under.

Australian Greens Small Business spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said that Prime Minister Rudd should be focused on the serious matter of small businesses yet to be paid for their work on the ASIO building rather than putting on a pre-election show.

"Today Prime Minister Rudd put on a show for the cameras at the new ASIO building while the $704 million federal government building project has resulted in an estimated 100 small businesses not being paid for their hard work," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.