Minister dismisses criticisms over reform

Social Services Minister Christian Porter says the government has made substantive reforms across the economy, dismissing critics who say otherwise.

A senior federal Liberal minister has dismissed suggestions the Turnbull government hasn't made substantive reforms across the economy.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the government has made some very challenging and difficult decisions over the last several years which is now seeing government expenditure under control.

"We are showing a real path back to surplus," Mr Porter said, who is seen to be on the conservative side of the Liberal party, told ABC television.

This is at a time when the government is investing in education over a 10-year period and giving tax cuts to three million small and medium-sized businesses which employ six million Australians.

"So I just think we need to continually focus on the substantive things that are happening and not worry about the flotsam and jetsam of the media cycle," the former West Australian treasurer said.

His comments came after former prime minister Tony Abbott aired his conservative agenda this week on a broad range of issues ranging from immigration to education.

Last year Mr Abbott criticised the government on budget repair, saying the reality is the government has been in office, "not in power".