Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I just did name him—Ross Drayton. Thank you, Member for McMahon. I'm sure you'll be interested to hear that he runs the Central Bike Centre. He said, 'With the government's support, our business has been able to employ three female apprentices.' That's fantastic! He continued: 'These apprentices are able to develop their skills while helping to grow our business. Without the support of the government, we would not have been able to take them on. It's a win-win.'

Ms Catherine King interjecting—

Shadow minister, I would have thought you would have liked the fact that we have three female apprentices getting employed. You are rubbishing everything. You are so negative. But this is about real support, in a really good community, getting to the ground. And that's what we're providing right across Australia—$1½ billion to 537 local councils. From Cumberland Council in Sydney, represented by Labor members, right through to Carnarvon, which is well represented by the member for Durack, it is getting support on the ground. It is getting money in the pockets of those hardworking people. These are local contractors, local suppliers and local small businesses providing local workers as we get out of COVID-19—the recession that, unfortunately, we had to have. (Time expired)

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