Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

The government's approach to payments such as Newstart, is, firstly, to ensure that we have a strong economy so that Australians are in the best possible position to gain employment. Secondly, we manage our budget well to ensure that for those who are having difficulty gaining employment we do have supports, such as Newstart. Finally, we take very seriously that there needs to be a multifaceted approach when it comes to people who are facing difficulties for reasons beyond their control and, as I have mentioned, there are a number of elements to the supports that people in difficult circumstances receive from the government, not just Newstart.