Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The budget is very much about helping get more Australians into work, particularly those who perhaps would struggle to enter the workforce. While some parts of the country are crying out for workers there are areas of our economy and our regions that are at risk of being left behind where unemployment is at significantly higher levels. Australians who face disadvantage, many who face multiple disadvantages, are being kept out of the workforce.

A key focus of the government's Building Australia's Future Workforce budget package is increasing workforce participation by giving disadvantaged Australians the skills and encouragement they need to get a job. In particular, the package is focused on supporting disadvantaged young people, the very long-term unemployed, jobless families and people with a disability so that they have the best chance of becoming job ready and finding and keeping a job. It is about investing in skills and allowing people the chance to participate in the economy giving them an opportunity. (Time expired)