Jenny Macklin (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, and I refer to the minister’s statement today in relation to training colleges in Africa. If the minister has no intention of building anything resembling a TAFE facility in Africa, why did he tell the Australian newspaper that he did? Given the government’s ongoing refusal to address the skills crisis by training Australians, why should we believe the minister’s statement?

Gary Hardgrave (Moreton, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Jagajaga for her question. The Australian government has absolutely no intention of establishing a TAFE facility, or indeed anything resembling it, in Africa. However, it is desirable that as much English and other instruction relating to the Australian lifestyle as possible is provided to refugees chosen for resettlement in our country before they arrive here. We believe they deserve the very best set of opportunities that they can possibly get once they are in this country.