Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

As always with these questions it is important to provide appropriate context for the answer. The context of course is that we inherited from Labor and the Greens a debt and deficit disaster that in the national interest needs to be fixed.

When it comes to young people under 30, we unashamedly have a policy position that it is not appropriate for young people who are able to work, are capable of working and are healthy and fit, to walk straight out of school onto the dole. We happen to think that if you are able and fit and you are capable of working you should work, you should earn or learn. Our policies in the budget provide for that. We have put appropriate safety nets around that to ensure that people in genuine need of support continue to have that support.

In relation to the specific question that was asked about grants programs, as always this government is committed to ensuring that all government spending is as efficient, as effective and as well targeted as possible. (Time expired)