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

I thank the honourable member for his question. Every measure in our national economic plan is driving jobs and growth so that we continue our successful transition from the mining-construction investment boom to the new economy. We are at a critical time in this transition. Every policy under our plan is directed at securing continued strong economic growth and more and better paying jobs for Australians, their children and their grandchildren. Our plan includes the Innovation and Science Agenda, to generate the jobs and industries of the future. It makes a historic investment in our defence industries to underpin our 21st century defence capabilities and advanced manufacturing for years to come. Our economic plan has delivered export trade deals with the large and growing economies of Asia to provide unprecedented access for our farmers and service industries. Our economic plan ensures that our tax and superannuation systems are sustainable and that the government moves towards a balanced budget. And we have a Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan to lower company tax rates, with the small business sector the early beneficiary. That encourages more investment, higher wages and more jobs.

Our plan includes an ambitious program for employers to work with young unemployed people to prepare, trial and hire. It is a path from welfare to work. Our PaTH initiative is vital for workforce participation and productivity. It is important on just about every social measure that we have as many of our young working-age Australians in gainful employment as possible. It helps a young person to get in a job and stay in a job. It helps them build the skills and experience and confidence that they need for a fulfilling working life. Our new PaTH program will help up to 120,000 young people over four years to get into an internship with businesses around Australia. The internships will last from four to 12 weeks. The program will see young people learn on-the-job skills and build relationships with employers and work mates. After that, we will be encouraging a transition into ongoing employment through wage subsidies of between $6,500 and $10,000.

Industry and the welfare sector have been very supportive. As ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said, it is 'an opportunity for young people to get work experience in real jobs' with a wage subsidy, something we have urged for some time and something that should be used more widely. BCA's CEO, Jennifer Westacott, said, 'Business will offer as many opportunities to young people as possible.' This is a plan to give young people a great opportunity, to set them up not just for a few months but for decades to come. (Time expired)

Mr Perrett interjecting—

Mr Mitchell interjecting—

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