QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (15:12): Thanks very much to Senator Dolega, who I know is a really strong supporter of those free TAFE programs in his home state of Tasmania. The Albanese government is backing apprentices and trainees and we're setting them up for a great career. Right around the country, we're building pathways for Australians to get the skills they want to do the jobs that we need.
Through free TAFE, we're opening up pathways for hundreds of thousands of people to get qualified for jobs that communities rely on each and every day. Through the free TAFE program, we've seen 742,000 enrolments in just three years. This will keep on growing, including in construction courses and care work, because our government has made free TAFE permanent.
Free TAFE construction courses have now seen more than 58,000 enrolments nationwide, helping our government build that pipeline of tradies that we need to build more homes for Australians. Another way is through our Key Apprenticeship Program, which provides $10,000 in incentive payments for new apprentices in housing construction and new energy industries, plus incentives for most employers too.
We rolled out this program in July 2025 and, since then, more than 29,000 Australian apprentices have made their start in housing construction trades backed by our incentive payments. From carpenters to plumbers and electricians, the Albanese Labor government is backing more Australians to kickstart their apprenticeship in housing construction and helping them through to the finish line, too, with our $10,000 incentives.
One such apprentice is Nick, a first-year carpentry apprentice from my home state of Queensland, who's earning and learning thanks to our Key Apprenticeship Program. Nick is one of 6,731 new housing construction apprentices in Queensland. Nick said he saw this carpentry apprenticeship as a pathway to setting himself up for the future in a job that is quite literally nation-building.
Senator Nampijinpa Price interjecting— Senator WATT: I hear the shadow minister piping up over there. Who could forget that first interview she did as the shadow minister for skills and trade, where she said she wanted to cut this program and take rights away from housing apprentices. Senator Nampijinpa Price: No, I didn't.
That's you lying again. The PRESIDENT: Minister Wong, on a point of order? Senator Wong: I ask you to ask the senator to withdraw that please.
The PRESIDENT: I didn't hear anything, Senator Wong. I'm not even sure who you're referring to. Senator Wong: Senator Nampijinpa Price made an unparliamentary remark in relation to Minister Watt.
I'm requesting— Senator Nampijinpa Price: It's being deceitful. Senator Wong: She's now saying it again. I'm requesting that she withdraw.
The PRESIDENT: Senator Nampijinpa Price, I didn't hear you make an unparliamentary remark, but, in the interest of the chamber, I would ask that, if you did, you withdraw please. Senator Nampijinpa Price: I was talking about what you suggested I said, which wasn't— The PRESIDENT: Senator Nampijinpa Price, when I ask for a withdrawal, I want you to withdraw without making comment.
I'm asking you to do it again. Senator Nampijinpa Price: I withdraw. The PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Senator Dolega, first supplementary?