QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:16): Thank you for that ruling. I hate to disappoint Senator Hume, but, while I have held a few portfolios over the life of the Albanese government, being Minister for Skills and Training is not one of them. I'm sure Senator Hume remembers the time that I spent as the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and our regular discussions about those issues on breakfast TV, where I was able to point out the policies of the Liberal Party when it came to cutting wages and cutting conditions, but I didn't have an opportunity to represent the portfolio of skills and training.

As I say, our government has taken action, cracking down on fraudulent skills. We take all matters of fraud extremely seriously, particularly where it's linked to matters of safety. I'm aware that the Australian Skills Quality Authority is working closely with Victoria Police and WorkSafe Victoria and contributing to Taskforce Hawk.

Investigations are ongoing in this matter and, as further updates are able to be provided, we will do so.