Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Jobs and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bushby for the question. The Turnbull government said at the last election that we would deliver jobs and growth in the Australian economy, and now, with record jobs growth and strong economic growth, we are delivering to Australians on that commitment. Our continued focus is on seeing more Australians get into jobs, and the Turnbull government's commitment to tax relief for both individuals and for businesses makes our economy even stronger.

Senator Bushby and the Tasmanian team would be pleased to know that every taxpayer in Braddon will be better off with the personal tax relief that passed through the Senate, including the 39,266 taxpayers who will receive immediate relief in the 2018-19 tax year, and the 14,300 who will receive the maximum amount of $530. Of course, we're also creating jobs in the seat of Braddon. Since the coalition was elected in 2013, the economy in Braddon has created 1,800 jobs. Compare this to the former Labor government, when they were in office between 2007 and 2013. The Tasmanian team will be horrified to know that 500 jobs were actually shed from the economy. Under Labor, the unemployment rate in Braddon was 9.1 per cent. It was 9.1 per cent under Labor and the Greens. It has now come down—it still has a way to go—to 6.3 per cent.

On Friday, I was delighted to be in Burnie in Tasmania with our candidate for the seat of Braddon, Mr Brett Whiteley. Yet again, we were announcing more programs to get people off welfare and into work.