Column: Opportunity - A fair go for those who have a go

Opportunity. A fair go for those who have a go.

The principles of opportunity and fairness are what the Morrison Government’s policies are based on. Over the last two months, our government has been getting on with the job of creating opportunity for all Australians.

We’ve delivered fair and equitable funding for schools through our Quality Schools package; providing $309.6 billion of funding for state schools, independent schools and Catholic schools between 2018 and 2029.

We’ve established a Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It is so important that when we entrust our loved ones to the aged care sector they are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. This Royal Commission is designed to identify any problems - and what is needed to fix them.

We’ve implemented targeted responses to the drought affecting our farmers; cutting red tape to allow for timely delivery of crucial supplies and providing direct assistance and concessional loans to the value of $1.8 billion.

I have a particular opportunity to put these values of opportunity and fairness into action, having been appointed as Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison Government - a portfolio which serves millions of Australians.

In this portfolio I have been continuing the work on the rollout of the cashless debit card, a policy aimed to reduce the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse among welfare recipients, continuing the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and working with the Minister for Women, the Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer MP, to tackle domestic violence in Australia.

My motivation for entering politics was to do my part to help make our great country even greater. It is a great privilege to now be able to take on a leadership role in a policy area which has such a profound social and economic impact in our nation.

It is no doubt unfortunate that recent events have been a distraction from our responsibilities as a government. But now, the Morrison Government has its focus firmly where it needs to be – on creating opportunity for the Australian people.

Paul Fletcher is the Federal Member for Bradfield and the Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison Government