STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms KARA COOK (Bonner) (13:34): If you want to build more homes, there's one thing we absolutely need: the tradies to build them. It's the chippies, sparkies, plumbers and apprentices who are on the tools early every morning, learning their trade and quite literally building our communities. I'm particularly proud of the more than 400 construction apprentices in Bonner who are among the 32,000 Australians getting a start through the Albanese Labor government's Key Apprenticeship Program.

For a young apprentice, getting started isn't cheap. There are tools, boots and work gear to buy, training costs and plenty of fuel going to and from work sites. That's why eligible full-time apprentices can receive $10,000 over their apprenticeship.

Importantly, this program isn't just backing apprentices but also the small businesses that give them their start. Almost 85 per cent of apprentices supported through the program are employed by small business. And we're getting young people started early; half of the apprentices are 19 or younger, giving thousands of young Australians a pathway straight from school into a skilled, secure career, where they can earn while they learn.

Labor is backing young people who want to learn a trade, the small businesses willing to give them a go and the skilled workforce Australia needs.