Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much to Senator Askew for her question and her particular interest in removing barriers to employment for Australians who are looking for work. The Morrison government is absolutely committed to working with all Australians to break down the barriers that are preventing people who are on working-age payments to get off welfare and into a job. We are supporting them through a range of initiatives, including the one that Senator Askew mentioned, which is the $96 million Try, Test and Learn Fund. What we've been doing through this fund is trialling new and innovative ways to assist people on welfare with their pathway towards either education or employment.

One great example that is already on foot is the Work Work project run by Too Good kitchens in Sydney and Melbourne. This particular program employs mature-age women to gain financial independence and creates a pathway for them back into the workforce. These women will complete a 16-week, paid, on-the-job training program as kitchen assistants, and then, at the end of that, they are guaranteed six months paid work in one of the kitchens of Too Good.

I want to tell you about Tracey. Tracey is a 52-year-old, and she's been struggling with drug addiction for most of her life. Tracey joined the team on the Work Work project and, in her own words, 'has never looked back'. What Tracey said to us was: 'I've had trouble for a long time to get back into a job, but this program has really helped change things for me. I've made friends for life with these girls. It's so good for us'.

On this side of the chamber, we understand that Australians do face particular barriers to employment. Because of our strong and stable economy, we are able to afford to invest in programs like the Try, Test and Learn Fund, the one that has actually helped Tracey to get back into the workforce. We know—