Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Can I thank Senator Stoker for that question, because a priority investment approach is, of course, significant for the future of our welfare system. It helps us target our efforts into policies that can help groups most at risk of welfare dependency, and that is exactly what we have done through the government's $96 million Try, Test and Learn Fund. For example, in tranche 1 the government has committed more than $23 million across 14 initiatives targeted at helping particular cohorts. Under tranche 1, these efforts were focused on helping young carers, young parents and students at risk of long-term unemployment. Through tranche 2, we are continuing these important efforts, because the government believe that the best form of welfare is a job and we are targeting programs and policies that help people move into education or employment, therefore ultimately reducing the lifetime welfare bill.