Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I can categorically say no, it is not. The other thing I will say in response to the question you just put forward—or the commentary you just put forward—is that one thing I have learnt very clearly around here is that you don't speculate on speculation. That is clearly what you are currently doing. There have been numerous commentaries around what governments do and don't do. I think, probably, the best thing to do is to wait and find out what government is doing when government actually does it.

What I would say to you, Senator Siewert, is that it is very clear that the economy has been significantly affected and the jobs market has been significantly affected, and we have had an unprecedented year of upheaval. But the government have made sure that we have stood side-by-side with Australians by providing additional support to those people who have found themselves out of work. Currently, we have an elevated support level for people who are unemployed of $150 a fortnight. That goes through for another six or eight weeks. But we are absolutely focussed— (Time expired)