Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Senator Hume, I can. I thank you very much for your question and acknowledge your strong interest in creating jobs in our home state of Victoria. The Liberal-National government knows that the best form of financial security is having a job, and I'm pleased to report to the Senate that this government's strong economic plan continues to see more Australians in work than ever before. The latest data released today shows record highs in the total number of people employed in this country. More Australians with more jobs means a healthier economy and, more importantly, increased opportunities to build meaningful careers. We're also at record highs when it comes to full-time employment—up to 8,654,000 full-time jobs. Happily, unemployment is down to five per cent, the best result in six years and well below the rate recorded this time last year. Since September 2013, under the Liberal-National government, employment has increased by more than 1,000,100 jobs. That's a 10 per cent rise. That's more than one million Australians who now have a brighter future.

These figures are incredibly positive, because having a job doesn't just bring with it greater financial security; it means more options and greater independence for workers, especially for Australians living in regional areas, and it means growth and productivity gains for small businesses who employ them. There is always more work to do, but it's clear our strong economic plan is working. The economy is growing at a 3.4 per cent growth rate. We are the envy of the G7, and it's Australians up and down the country who are sharing in the benefits.