Ian Macfarlane (Groom, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency Repeal Bill 2014 provides for the repeal of the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency Act 2008 and the abolition of the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency.

This bill is a critical part of the government's agenda for reforming governance arrangements for vocational education and training, as well as rationalising the number of portfolio bodies across government—and we certainly need to do that.

The Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency Act 2008 establishes the legislative framework for the Agency, which provides independent advice in relation to Australia's current, emerging and future skills and workforce development needs.

As part of the winding down of the agency's operations, it is the government's intention that the agency's staff and functions be transferred into the department of Industry to strengthen resources and the capacity of the Department of Industry to provide targeted advice.

The agency has made a valuable contribution to policy development and refinement in key areas of skills and workforce development. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all serving and prior board members for their involvement and engagement with the agency and its policy and research.

I took the opportunity to speak to each of the board members and thank them for their contribution. Many people have done a great deal to improve the productivity and skills of young people in particular, and the contribution of the board members should be acknowledged.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.