Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I congratulate Senator Day for taking such a positive and constructive approach to building a stronger, more prosperous economy. This government is always open to good ideas. I would agree with Senator Day that it is very true to say that one of the very serious structural economic challenges that we as a nation are facing is falling workforce participation rates on the back of an ageing population. That is of course why we have measures in the budget to ensure that young people, who are healthy and well and who are able to work, earn or learn. That is why we have measures in the budget to ensure that Australians are working longer. That is why we have measures in the budget to lift workforce participation by women.

I hear the suggestion that Senator Day is making. Over the next few years we will continue to build on our reform agenda, as we are getting some of our priorities— (Time expired)