Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member opposite for her question. The question has got this very sharp ideological edge. Having inherited this portfolio, I do not see much ideology; I see practical layers of administrative problems. Here is where we are, as I think you know well deep down: 35 per cent of the national budget goes to welfare. The DSS budget is $154 billion a year. The income tax we bring in is $196 billion a year; 80 per cent of all income tax goes straight to the welfare budget. Of course, it has been growing very rapidly over time—as you know, because you were the steward of that rapid growth.

Ms Macklin interjecting—

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