Asset write-off not growth driver:Treasury

The Abbott government's $20,000 instant asset write-off for small business is not primarily about driving economic growth, but building up that part of the economy, treasury head John Fraser says.

During a Senate estimates hearing, opposition frontbencher Penny Wong asked Mr Fraser whether the size of the measure - three times the size of one temporarily introduced during the global financial crisis by Labor - was because the economy was so fragile?

"It's not the primary intent a macroeconomic restoration measure. It's about building up the small business sector," Mr Fraser replied.