Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said, 'We really want to lift the status of vocational education in Australia.' But the Prime Minister cut TAFE and training funding by $326 million in just one year. Why does the Prime Minister keep saying things that just aren't true?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member would be aware that funding for TAFE is provided by the states and territories—

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is federal funding.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney will not interject.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the member would know, funding for TAFE is provided by state and territory governments, and they make all decisions about how much they're funded by. The member can't come and simply say things that aren't true. It was the member who was part of a government that cut funding for the apprenticeship scheme, ripping money out of apprentice incentives in this country, which ensured that those who were looking for apprentices couldn't get the support. The member for Sydney is a serial offender at coming and making smears at the dispatch box about things she knows to be untrue.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer? The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. The member for Sydney is seeking to table a document, I think.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the report from the NCVER that shows $325.8 million, a 10.6 per cent decrease in Commonwealth funding to TAFE and training.

Leave not granted.