Senator Eric Abetz has slammed media allegations that the government sought to massage employment figures, saying a report in The Australian contains numerous errors.
"At no stage did staff in my office request that figures be 'scaled up'," he said.
"At no stage did staff in my office suggest that the department’s figures be “dumped” and replaced with alternative figures.
"At no stage did any staff in my office suggest that figures be 'massaged'."
The Australian reported that ministerial advisers encouraged federal officials to “massage” their economic forecasts to match Tony Abbott’s vow to create one million jobs over the next five years amid concern the original estimates would fall short of his target.
The Department of Employment, with the agreement of the government, will publish its annual employment projection figures this week, as had been planned.
"The leaked email quoted in the story clearly only requested input into the wording around the media release and in no way sought to alter the figures to be published," Mr Abetz said.
"I have full faith and confidence in the staff involved."
Mr Abetz said the story was based solely on selectively leaked information and that the newspaper did not seek to verify the accuracy of the information leaked to him.
funny, but i don't believe him 
trying to hide his failings with dodgy figures.
