Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australia is a country with a bright future, and a bright future for all our citizens—although you wouldn't know it from listening to those opposite talk us down. A Future Made in Australia, the National Reconstruction Fund, the energy transition—these are all big policies and plans that are driving global opportunities for this country that every Australian will benefit from, whether it's the well-paid, secure jobs they'll create, the services they will benefit from, the businesses they will build and grow or the thriving economy.

We want all Australians to benefit from the economic opportunities Labor is building—no-one left behind, no-one held back as the economy transitions. And make no mistake, the economy will transition. Change is the one great certainty in life, and we need to be prepared for it and embrace the opportunities it brings. The one thing all these strategies need is a skilled workforce. Skills drive economic growth. For many of these jobs, an apprenticeship, university or TAFE qualification is the entry ticket.

When we came into government we inherited workforce shortfalls across the economy. There wasn't a sector I didn't hear from telling me how hard it was to get the skilled workforce they needed: tradies, the health sector, aged care, education, retail, services, manufacturing, defence—the list goes on. The previous Liberal-National government ran down TAFE and universities and then were surprised that there was a shortage of skilled workers. The Albanese Labor government is committed to investing in the skills Australia needs to drive economic growth. The Free TAFE Bill 2024 commits the Commonwealth to ongoing support of states and territories for free TAFE.

Free TAFE has changed the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of Australians, providing cost-of-living relief and a pathway to well-paid and secure employment. In the first 18 months of fee-free TAFE there have been 508,000 enrolments. Staff and students at the Tonsley TAFE in my electorate told me how popular it was. Students who otherwise wouldn't have signed up for training because of cost barriers were now beating down the doors—older workers wanting to reskill to change careers, women wanting to upskill to return to work after having children but facing financial barriers to get the time to study. The most popular topics were building trades, IT, early childhood education and enrolled nursing—all areas where we have a workforce shortage, where Australian businesses are crying out for more workers, where Australians can have rewarding and fulfilling careers and where fee-free TAFE is making a difference in addressing the workforce shortage across the country.

TAFE courses are designed to prepare individuals for critical roles in industries such as health, construction, technology and manufacturing. These are not luxury skills; they are the backbone of our economy and our society. This bill builds on the success that is fee-free TAFE. It ensures that free TAFE continues to deliver a coordinated response to workforce shortages in industries of local and national priority, helping build the pipeline of skilled workers that Australia needs now and into the future.

Ongoing free TAFE will offer greater certainty to students, employers and industry, as well as states and territories. It will establish ongoing cost-of-living relief by removing financial barriers to education and training, particularly for groups that typically experience economic disadvantage. Labor is committed to ensuring that opportunities are available for all Australians who want to take them up—no-one locked out; no-one left behind. As a government and as a parliament, we have a responsibility to help people here and now. We owe a duty to Australians and to the next generation of Australians to build an economy that liberates their talents and rewards their efforts and to make sure that they are ready, prepared and upskilled to benefit from those opportunities, and that starts with education for all.

Every Australian, no matter their background or financial situation, should have equal access to education—no-one held back; no-one left behind. Education is the great equaliser. It can transcend socioeconomic divides. It provides individuals with the skills they need to thrive, and it equips societies with the tools for progress. When we invest in education, we are not merely providing knowledge or technical training; we are sowing the seeds of innovation, productivity and inclusion. We believe in equal opportunity. By making TAFE free, we're removing the financial barriers to access and ensuring that everyone has the chance to pursue a career they love and to achieve their potential.

We believe in investing in our people. Our greatest asset is our people, and, by investing in them, we're ensuring that Australians have the skills and capacity to contribute to a thriving economy. Our whole nation benefits when we make it easier for people to access education. Free TAFE is an investment in the future of our society—a fairer society that benefits everyone. The long-term benefits of a more skilled productive workforce will create great economic growth that benefits all Australians.

The cost of inaction is high, as we've seen over the last decade. Failing to invest in skilling up our people will leave businesses stranded and Australians locked out of reaching their potential. That is exactly where the previous government left us, with critical workforce shortages across the nation, particularly in skilled workforce areas. We know the cost of inaction and neglect of the TAFE system, and we're not willing to repeat the errors of the previous government. A better educated workforce drives innovation, productivity and long-term economic growth, and free TAFE is a targeted solution. By removing barriers to these in-demand courses, we create a steady pipeline of skilled professionals—in-demand workers ready to contribute to our economy.

The bill doesn't just respond to the demands of today; it prepares us for the challenges of tomorrow. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, we need a workforce that is agile, adaptive and equipped with cutting-edge skills. Free TAFE ensures that we remain competitive in a global market while securing local jobs. It means Australians are ready and able to take those secure, well-paid Australian jobs in order to truly and fully benefit from the industries of the future. We have a responsibility to help people here and now—a duty we owe to the next generation of Australians to build an economy that liberates their talents and rewards their efforts. And that starts with education for all. Every Australian, no matter their background or financial situation, should have equal access to education.

We believe in equal opportunity, and by making TAFE free we're removing financial barriers to access and ensuring everyone has the chance to pursue their career. We believe in investing in our people, Australians. Our greatest asset is our people, and by investing in them we're ensuring all Australians have the skills and capacity to contribute to a thriving economy. Our whole nation benefits when we make it easier for people to access education.

The true cost of free TAFE is an investment in the future of our society, and a fairer society benefits everyone. The long-term benefit of a more skilled, productive workforce will be to create economic growth that benefits all Australians. We have a duty to create a society that values opportunity, fairness and the dignity of work. Free TAFE is not merely an economic policy; it's a statement about the kind of nation we want to be. Do we want to be a society where talent and potential are squandered because of financial barriers, do we want to perpetuate cycles of inequality and disadvantage, or do we want to build a future where everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to learn, grow and succeed, and where businesses thrive because they have the skilled workforce they need to grow? We on this side of the House recognise that education is not a commodity but a public good, a foundation upon which we can build a brighter, fairer and more prosperous future for our country and our citizens. The cost of inaction is high. Failing to invest in skilling up our people will leave businesses stranded and Australians locked out of reaching their potential. A better-educated workforce drives innovation, productivity and long-term economic growth.

TAFE opens doors for people across Australia who are looking to gain well-paid and secure work. Studies consistently show that every dollar invested in education generates significant returns for both individuals and the broader economy. Graduates of TAFE programs typically enter the workforce faster, earn higher wages and therefore contribute more to society, not only in their skilled work but also in taxes over their lifetime. Moreover, they often fill roles that are essential to our public infrastructure, such as in health care, construction and renewable energy.

Labor is delivering on the training Australians want and the skills they need to get ahead. Labor is providing cost-of-living support for more Australians to access high-quality, affordable training. We're helping Australians to get well-paying jobs. We're delivering the skills and training needed to grow the Australian economy, building the homes we need, creating a future made in Australia and ensuring all Australians can get quality care when they need it. With high-quality skills and training, we are building a better Australia. Nine in 10 new jobs over the next 10 years will need post-school study, and half of those jobs will need vocational education and training. A reliable, trusted TAFE sector is critical for our economy. An accessible and high-quality sector means people can create and share in our national prosperity.

Free TAFE legislation is more than a policy; it's a vision for a better Australia. It addresses our skills shortages and strengthens our economy; it gives Australians opportunities to build themselves better lives through secure, well-paid, skilled jobs; and it prepares us for the challenges of a changing world. It's an investment in our people, our industries and our shared future. The choice before us is clear. We can choose to cling to the status quo, allowing financial barriers to block pathways to education and opportunity, and talk the country down, as we hear from those opposite, or we can choose to embrace progress, ensuring that every Australian has the chance to contribute their skills and talents to our nation. We on this side want Australians to have good, well-paid, secure jobs. We want Australia to have the skilled workforce we need to become an economic powerhouse in a changing world. Helping students and graduates with free TAFE is a practical way to achieve both those things.

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