Government Members:

Government members—certainly members of The Nationals—who are in quite poor seats in regional Australia would not always receive sufficient capital if they were seen as being in a particularly safe seat. There has to be a situation whereby we get rid of this cynical approach to funding. I was surprised, therefore, to learn that the suburb of Sunshine is a proposed site for an ATC. I welcome it. There is a great need in my electorate for such a service. In the event that the college is established, I hope that the government does a bit more than train just one person, as is currently happening in Gladstone, Queensland. I hope that the Commonwealth is genuine about the problems in providing training opportunities for young people in the electorate of Gorton, the neighbouring electorate of Maribyrnong and other surrounding electorates that will access this college if it is successfully established.

We support bringing money forward to expend on training, but I am still somewhat sceptical that the college will be successfully established by 2007. I am concerned that not a great deal of thinking or effort has been put in by the Commonwealth to ensure that my constituents who are in need of training are provided with that opportunity—an opportunity that will enable them to get a good job. Let us hope that I am wrong and that the government sets it up. (Time expired)

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