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

Thank you very much, Senator Siewert. As I have mentioned in my previous answer, we accept the fact that people who find themselves unemployed or without a job are far more likely to find themselves in financial distress and, eventually, possibly even in poverty. That is why our welfare system is very targeted on two very clear things: firstly, we want people who find themselves without a job to have the jobs, have the pathways and break down the barriers to enable them to get a job, because we know that is the best way of relieving poverty; but, secondly, through our targeted welfare system we are also very focused on providing assistance to those people that need it. As an example, every year we provide $2 billion worth of grants to over 2½ thousand organisations to provide direct and specific services to people who find themselves in need of assistance.