Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

My question without notice is for the Minister for Employment, Senator Abetz. I refer to the minister's statement today in which he rejects claims published in The Australian that his staff asked departmental officials to revise up their annual employment projection figures. If this is the case, why did the minister's staff member say:

As previously indicated, the government firmly believes that our one million job target can be met …

How does the minister explain the discrepancy between this statement and this email extract, which clearly shows an attempt to direct departmental officials?