Tim Watts (Gellibrand, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I take that interjection from the government! Bills like this reveal the true unfairness of this prescription. The hard truth for young people in this country is that they are being asked to learn or earn, by this government, at the same time as they—the government, and their state Liberal colleagues—are making doing so that much harder.

If the government were serious about helping young Australians learn or earn, it would keep programs like the Tools For Your Trade scheme, the Australian Apprentices Access Program, the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program and the Apprentice to Business Owner Program. The fact that they are pulling down the ladders at the same time as ripping away the safety net tells you all you need to know about their aspirations for the young people of this country.

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