QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: TAKE NOTE OF ANSWERS
Senator CICCONE (Victoria) (15:16): I appreciate the opportunity today to take note of the questions from the opposition, although we probably should be taking note of the opposition's behaviour in question time today, to be frank, rather than substantive matters that were asked of the government, or the executive of the day. Quite frankly, it was just appalling to see the conduct of those, particularly, on the opposition front benches—the way that they were not only interjecting but also commenting about the answers that were given by ministers of this government.
I did want to talk today about the question that went to the skills system of this country, particularly around the reporting today in the media on the qualifications that go to the construction sector. It was worth noting, though, for the record what the government has been doing to fix the skills system mess that was left by those opposite when we first came into government.
It's worth mentioning here in the Senate that this government has focused from day 1 on making Australia's skills system a lot more accessible, a lot fairer and a lot better aligned with the workforce needs for the 21st century and for this decade. The more responsive way to deal with the skills shortage that is affecting employers and essential industries—filling in the gaps is what this government is determined to do in its determination to fix our failed skills system that was left by the previous administration.
It's a good opportunity to outline some of those measures here today. First of all, the government is proud to have put TAFE back at the heart of the skills system—something that those opposite, the conservatives, have ripped out for a decade. We want to give Australians more opportunities to gain qualifications and help employers find the skilled workers that they desperately need.
That is how we lift productivity in this country. We've also made free TAFE permanent, committing more than $1.6 billion through to the year 2034-35 and supporting at least 100,000 free TAFE and VET places a year from next year. This includes priority areas such as construction, health care, aged care, early childhood education, technology, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
Who would have thought? We are fixing those sectors that desperately need skilled workers. The cost of training shouldn't be a barrier to building a career.
That's why free TAFE is giving Australians a pathway into jobs in their communities and supporting their local economies. There have also been over 800,000 free TAFE enrolments, delivering the skills that Australia needs, since the program commenced. The government is also proudly supporting apprentices and employers.
The national apprenticeship data that was released in September showed that trade apprenticeship completions rose by 10 per cent, year on year. That is the highest level in a decade. The government's Key Apprenticeship Program also offers eligible new apprentices in housing construction and new energy industries up to $10,000 over the course of their apprenticeship.
The government has also established a national network of 20 TAFE centres of excellence, backed by a commitment of around $325 million under the National Skills Agreement. This includes four TAFE centres of excellence in Victoria, my home state, with the renewable energy centre at TAFE Gippsland's Morwell campus being one of them. It's somewhere that I've proudly visited.
These centres focus on priority industries like clean energy, housing construction, care services, advanced manufacturing, digital technology and cybersecurity. It is so important that we place on the record—and counter the disinformation about it from those opposite—why this government takes skills so seriously. (Time expired)