Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. We are living in times of unprecedented opportunity but they are also challenging times. The growth in the global economy, the opportunities that have been opened up, especially by the efforts of the trade minister, are enormous. Australians have never had greater opportunities—whether as families, as individuals, as businesses—than they have today. But we have to keep on ensuring that we are removing barriers to their industry, to their enterprise.

That is why we have opened up markets with the free trade agreements. Our response to the Harper review encourages competition and innovation. We are investing more than $50 billion in infrastructure. Our innovation agenda helps to create a modern dynamic 21st century economy, which prepares our children for the jobs of the future and ensures that all businesses—large and small, old and new—are positioned to take advantage of the enormous opportunities for growth.

The formula is working. Last year Australia generated 301,300 new jobs. Over 60 per cent were full-time. Youth unemployment is at its lowest rate since July 2013. Female participation reached a record high in the fourth quarter of last year: more Australian women in full-time work than ever before. Every lever of the government, every lever of our economic policy is directed at building on this strong performance.

Mr Champion interjecting—

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