Govt defends business package in ad series

A junior government minister has justified including the small business package in the post-budget phase of its advertising campaign for the intergenerational report.

During a Senate estimates hearing Labor senator Sam Dastyari was surprised by its inclusion when part of the package - the $20,000 instant asset write-off - only covers two years, while the intergenerational report is an outlook for the next 40 years.

Liberal senator Mitch Fifield, representing the treasurer at the hearing, said the package also includes tax cuts for small business, which are all about setting the economy up for a stronger future, "so there is nothing inconsistent with the advertising post-budget".