Single Touch Payroll

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:51): Supplementary: can the Treasurer confirm in the cited jobs growth rate that the hours did in fact increase?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:51): In relation to the Single Touch Payroll, what I just indicated is that they have only released today the employee job numbers. They will be releasing next week, we believe, the measure in relation to the total wages, which is a better indication of the number of hours worked.

The point that I have made on many previous occasions is that the total wages paid is a very good indicator, because total jobs employed, as I am sure the honourable member will understand, in the labour force figures can be as little as one hour a week. In terms of being the difference between employed and unemployed, that is the measure the Australian Bureau of Statistics uses.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: Point of order: I asked a specific question on whether the Treasurer could actually confirm something or not. He is now working his way around the topic. The simple question deserved a yes or no answer.

The PRESIDENT: I will ask the Treasurer to address that. I think he probably was working his way towards it, but I would ask him to address that.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The Hon. Ms Franks gets to ask a question; she doesn't get to answer it. In relation to the issue, as to whether it's a yes or no, I will answer it in the way that I have just answered it.