Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Hanson. Obviously, I am sure the minister representing the Minister for Social Services, or for Employment and Workplace Relations, might be able provide a more detailed answer on mutual obligation. Both parties of government at different times have had different approaches, but have had obligations and frameworks in relation to receipt of social security benefits. That is obviously an approach which is taken, bearing in mind the need to be sensible, balanced and responsible through that.

I would make the point that, actually, at the moment, we do have a participation rate that is quite high. The participation rate is at 66.8 per cent and the employment-to-population ratio is at 64.4 per cent. So, actually, there are a great many Australians who are participating in the economy and participating in the labour market.