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

I thank Senator Siewert for her follow-up question. As I said in my response to the primary question, the absolute core reason and motivation behind the Morrison government's seeking to ask this place to give us the mandate to go out and undertake a very limited amount of drug testing on new people who are coming onto Newstart is so that we can identify whether this drug addiction or substance abuse is actually the barrier that is preventing them from getting into work. If it turns out that they do have a substance issue, we will then have the opportunity to provide them with the kinds of support services, facilities and treatments that will enable them to address their drug or substance abuse issue. This is about helping Australians, because we know that one of the most important barriers that we can break down for people who are looking for work is drug addiction. (Time expired)