QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:49): New data has revealed that there have now been more than 850,000 free TAFE enrolments under the Albanese Labor government. We've seen more than 236,000 enrolments in care sector courses. Senator McKenzie: How many completions?

Senator WATT: They don't like people enrolling in TAFE courses. That's the kind of people they are. We've seen more than 236,000 enrolments in care sector courses and more than 78,000 enrolments in construction sector courses.

And course completions have grown to more than 275,000, growing at nearly double the rate of enrolments. Now, in contrast, the coalition left Australia with skills shortages at a 50-year high when they left office. Never forget that the former opposition leader, Sussan Ley—remember her?—said, about TAFE, 'If you don't pay for something, you don't value it,' and just last week the shadow minister, Senator Nampijinpa Price, said that free TAFE is 'a waste of taxpayers' money'.

They never learn. The PRESIDENT: Senator Polley, second supplementary?