Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hume very much for her question. The Morrison government believes that, if you want work, you should be able to access it. As we're now living healthier and longer lives, active ageing presents great opportunities for older Australians to keep participating in the workforce and to better prepare for a sustainable future and a fulfilling retirement. Aside from the obvious financial benefits that that brings, it also works to help improve health outcomes and contribute to self-esteem and has significant social and emotional benefits—and we all see those in our communities.

That's why the government is helping to support mature-age workers who want to work to find and retain employment through a number of programs. For instance, in an Australian first, we are providing comprehensive intensive support to mature-age jobseekers through the Career Transition Assistance program trial, which builds participants' competitiveness in the local jobs market. That program will be rolled out nationally from next year. We're also providing funding for upskilling opportunities for mature-aged workers who are identified as being at risk through the Skills and Training Incentive. We're expanding the Entrepreneurship Facilitators program to 20 additional locations to encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment amongst mature-age Australians. And we're providing Restart wage subsidies up to $10,000 to encourage business to hire and retain eligible mature-age employees. This is, of course, in addition to the many other measures contained in the government's More Choices for a Longer Life Package, which was announced in the most recent budget.

Our Australian economy benefits from the experience, skills and work ethic of mature-age workers, just as our communities and our families benefit from their contributions more broadly