Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is on policy on a matter related to the Australian people, which is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. Will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government's JobTrainer package is providing critical support to businesses as we recover from the COVID-19 recession?

Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. JobTrainer has been a crucial part of our plan for economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession. It's helping jobseekers to upskill and it's providing the skilled workforce that is needed. JobTrainer is a $2 billion investment supporting our businesses, our apprentices, our trainees and our jobseekers.

Mr Hill interjecting—

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

The member for Bruce is warned.

Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's $1.5 billion in wage subsidies to help keep apprentices in jobs and to help the businesses that employ them to remain operational through the impacts of COVID-19.

The other component of JobTrainer is a $500 million co-contribution to the $1 billion JobTrainer Fund. This is a partnership, with matched funding from the states and territories, to create up to 340,700 extra training places that are free or at a low fee. These training places are in areas of identified skills need and they're for Australians who are looking for jobs, including our school leavers, who will graduate just next month. The participating states and territories help determine the priority areas through the National Skills Commission so that training can be focused on in-demand employment areas. This is about delivering the skilled workers that our businesses need now for the recovery.

So far, every state and territory in the country except Victoria has signed up to the JobTrainer Fund. These extra training places are already available in several states. We are continuing to work with Victoria and we do hope that they sign up. I encourage the Victorian government to take advantage of the opportunities that the JobTrainer Fund provides to them so that they are in a better position to recover quickly. Victoria is a great state. It has been absolutely heartbreaking to see what they have had to endure for the past couple of months, and our hearts clearly go out to the Victorians, but I want to say to the people in Victoria: the Commonwealth government is here to support you. We are ready, willing and able to provide an additional $130 million, through the JobTrainer Fund, for around 50,000 training places in both full qualifications and short courses.

Mr Hill interjecting—

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

The member for Bruce will leave under standing order 94(a).

An opposition member interjecting—

It happens when you interject after you've been warned; that's sort of how it happens.

The member for Bruce then left the chamber.

Karen Andrews (McPherson, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Skills training is so important as we recover from the pandemic, and the Australian government is here to support all Australians.