PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Mr CONAGHAN (Cowper) (12:58): This private member's bill on the Key Apprenticeship Program is just another example of the spin and the tactical play of the Labor Party—divert, deflect and deny. They can sit over there and pat themselves on the back and talk about their policies and the supposed 30,000 apprentices that the Key Apprenticeship Program has attracted in its first 12 months.

Of course, we need those apprenticeships. When Labor came into government in 2022, there were 429,000 apprenticeships, and, today, we see that that's down to 282,000. And we're wondering and scratching our heads why we're not building any houses!

I know why those opposite are not talking about the data or putting it into a percentage. I'll tell you why: the latest data on the Australian apprenticeship system, released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, paints a very concerning picture for future skills needed to deliver the priorities in our country. In the 12 months to September 2025, trade apprenticeship commencements were down almost 10 per cent, while non-trade commitments were down over 18 per cent.

New data shows that the completion of construction apprenticeships has fallen to a five year low. Coincidentally, five years is how long this government has been in power! The industry is telling us that Labor is slashing $266 million from apprenticeship incentives for employers.

That will only compound the issue. I recall, when we were in government in my first term, that our policy was that an employer was paid 50 per cent of the apprenticeship wage in the first year, 10 per cent in the second year and five per cent in the third year. That recognised that apprenticeship tradies are basically unskilled going into their first year, and it gave confidence to the employer that they would be able to pay that young apprentice's wage.

I note that the policy of the Labor government is a $5,000 payment to young apprentices. That's great; it's good. I can speak from experience.

My two sons are 17 and 19. One's doing electrical trade, and the other one's doing construction building. They've both received the payments and they were both very welcoming of that money.

But it doesn't stop the fact that I see many of their mates who have been through either Newman Senior Technical College up in Port Macquarie or TAFE unable to find jobs. My sons were very lucky that they found their jobs. They appreciate them and love them.

But the fact is this government's policies are not giving employers confidence. It does not want them to bring people on. We've seen a record number of construction and building companies go into insolvency over the last 18 months to two years.

That is reflective of this government's policies. It's reflective of what this government is failing to do. The other side talk about building homes.

But what I can say is that Labor is failing to provide investment into the basic infrastructure that is needed in regional and rural areas—such as Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour—the sewer and water. There has been no new investment, and, if you don't have that new investment, then you cannot build. You can create as many tradies as you like, but, without that infrastructure investment, nothing will happen.

And, unless you live in a Labor seat, nothing gets done. So I call on Labor to make sure that they treat all Australians equally and leave no-one behind, as promised. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Wilkie ): I understand the member for Pearce would like to present a copy of her speech for incorporation into Hansard, in accordance with the resolution agreed to on 6 November 2025.