Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to compliment and praise Jasmine Cecchini. She is a beauty therapist in Wagga Wagga, and her journey has been deeply rooted in family influence and personal ambition. She set out on this course when she was 19 years young, apprenticing in her mother's salon. This early immersion in the world of beauty therapy provided her with not only valuable hands-on experience but very much a strong foundation in the field.

She won a Medallion for Excellence at the WorldSkills Lyon 2024, in France. Her employer is Circa 1929, located in Fitzmaurice Street in the heart of Wagga Wagga. Her training institute was the Technical and Further Education New South Wales Wagga Wagga. She has shown remarkable dedication to her craft, completing her apprenticeship and, by the age of 21, winning gold at the WorldSkills Australia nationals.

Whilst she has been very busy working and training, she has made certain that she has a good work-life balance. She said—and it's a great quote:

Watching my mum work as hard as she did as a single mum, instilled in me a good work ethic and has had a profound impact on how I approach my career and personal development.

She very much has ambitious goals. She wants to open her own business, she wants to work overseas and she wants to showcase her talent on an even greater international scale. I say to Jasmine: Well done. You have done not only yourself and your family but, indeed, your community proud.

The member for Newcastle brings this WorldSkills Competition 2024 motion to the House, and I commend her for that. I also note her dedication to TAFE. I know she has been on her feet a number of times during her parliamentary career to talk up the value of TAFE, and I share that passion with her, being a former TAFE student with quite a number of certificates from the Wagga Wagga college.

But I heard the member for Gilmore criticise the opposition and our stance towards fee-free TAFE. What is being sold and what is being spruiked is not going to benefit entirely every single person who attempts to go and do a TAFE course. It is, just like the housing bills that this government has put forward, in that regard something of a misnomer.

Only in recent hours have we seen Labor and the Greens cosy up on housing bills. It is so typical—phony indignation. Pretend as though this were some terrible thing that the Greens weren't partnering, and all of a sudden, lo and behold, in the death throes of the parliamentary year, when the government is doing so badly, the Greens political party have come to the party and agreed with Labor on the government's housing reforms—as if they were never going to. Let's face it: they will both swap premises, as they always do, at the next election. This little lover's tiff has just been that: just feigned indignation. It is mock outrate as though it were never going to happen, and we all know that it certainly was.

This comes at a time when, according to corporate watchdog ASIC, there were 2,832 construction industry insolvency appointments for the 2024 financial year until 16 June, an increase of 28 per cent on the 2,213 insolvencies over the previous financial year. The construction industry is doing it tough. We hear Labor talk a big game about building 1.2 million homes. That's not going to happen, not in a month of Sundays. It's just not going to happen. They talk about it; they're not going to produce it. They talk about fee-free TAFE; it's not free. This is so typical of this government, which has a lot to answer for.

Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Riverina is a good fella, but, if this housing and fee-free TAFE legislation doesn't pass, it's because those opposite don't want to see it pass, for obvious reasons. It's a good thing, and they don't want us to have a win for workforce. They don't want us to have a win for cost of living, which is why they haven't supported one single cost-of-living measure that we have managed to get through the parliament.

A strong vocational education and training sector is absolutely critical to ensuring that Territorians and all Australians, can get a secure and well paid job and, if you are a business owner, absolutely critical to making sure that you are getting the skilled workforce that you need. We have been investing in the skills that the Territory needs and that our nation needs by making fee-free TAFE permanent for young Territorians and young Australians but also for those who are retraining, perhaps for a new career or an advancement later in life.

This not only helps relieve cost-of-living pressures, as I just mentioned; it's also vital for us to secure our sovereignty and to build our future through building the skills that we need. Last month, my colleague, the Minister for Skills and Training, came up to Darwin and saw firsthand how fee-free TAFE is benefiting young Territorians in my electorate. We visited the Renewable Energy Microgrid Hub for Applied Research and Training, otherwise known as REMHART, down at East Arnhem, which is part of Charles Darwin University. It's an innovation hub for renewable energy systems that will be training and developing a Territory workforce that is equipped with the practical skills that are absolutely essential for a net zero transformation and, frankly, for turning the Northern Territory and Australia—mainly northern Australia—into a renewable energy superpower. This should be our future.

I acknowledge the work, as I have before in this place, of Professor Suresh Thennadil and his team at REMHART. We plan to develop a Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence at CDU based on REMHART—but growing it—that brings together Charles Darwin University, industry and the Electrical Trades Union into a powerful collaboration to drive skilled jobs across the Northern Territory in the renewable sector.

Our government is committed to investing in the skills Australia needs to drive economic growth and is delivering a VET system to deliver these skills. So many of the occupations in demand across Australia have direct VET pathways, and that knowledge, acquisition, education and training is a big part of the answer to the skills shortage question. Another part is making sure everyone can access top-quality education. A high-quality, world-class VET system is vital to responding to the challenges facing, and seizing the opportunities shaping, Australia's society, economy and environment—for example, a renewable energy future and a sustainable environment.

The reality is that you can't have a strong VET sector without strong TAFEs. This is why the Albanese Labor government is investing in fee-free TAFE.    Fee-free TAFE is particularly benefitting Australians from priority cohorts, with over 170,000 young Australians—124,000 jobseekers and 30,000 First Australians—enrolling in the program. The Albanese government's 2024-25 budget delivers $600 million in some of these measures. I acknowledge all of those who were successful in winning the awards that were spoken about previously. It's really important that we grow our workforce and it is really important to mention and acknowledge all of those who are making this a reality. It's going to be so important for our future.

Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to celebrate two of my greatest passions—no, not burgers and the world's best wines from the Hunter, but skills and representing Australia on the world stage. When I was 15, I left school and headed to TAFE to pursue a trade as a fitter and turner, or for those who know anything about the industry, as a toolmaker. It was one of the best decisions of my life, opening doors to a fulfilling career and a keen sense of purpose. Later I had the privilege of representing Australia as an Olympian. There is no greater honour than representing your country. These experiences taught me the transformative power of dedication, skill and opportunity.

So what could be better than combining these passions—an 'Olympics' for trades and skilled professionals? Enter WorldSkills, a competition that gathers the world's most talented tradespeople, apprentices and trainees to test their expertise and showcase their mastery.

The 47th WorldSkills international competition was held recently in Lyon, France, breaking records with over 1,400 competitors from 70 countries. Representing Australia were 32 extraordinary young people, the Skillaroos. And let me tell you: they smashed it. Performing in front of thousands of spectators, the Skillaroos demonstrated passion, perseverance and world-class skill. Competing against 70 nations, they achieved 14th place in the points tally, a testament to their talent and the strength of Australia's vocational education system.

Among the champions was the Hunter's very own Neave O'Reilly, a nurse with the Hunter New England Local Health District, competing in health care. Neave ranked 14th in the world—a phenomenal achievement. Neave, you are one of the most skilled nurses on the planet, and we are proud and thankful to have you in our workforce. Congratulations to Neave and every other member of the Skillaroos team.

Behind these competitors stand dedicated mentors, coaches and supporters. I want to say thank you to you all. Great teams create great champions, and your efforts inspire the next generation of Australians to pursue skills and trades. The Skillaroos exemplify what is possible through our vocational education and training sector, particularly through TAFE. Their success highlights the importance of accessible, high-quality skills training. That is why this government is backing TAFE like never before. Through fee-free TAFE, we have removed financial barriers for more than 508,000 Australians, giving them the chance to pursue fulfilling careers in essential industries like health care, construction and digital technologies.

In just 18 months, fee-free TAFE has exceeded expectations. Six in 10 places have been taken up by women and a third by Australians from rural and regional areas. This program has changed lives, provided cost-of-living relief and addressed critical skills shortages across our nation. Yet those opposite dismiss fee-free TAFE as wasteful spending. Last week, they voted against it. They had a decade to address Australia's skills shortages and failed to act. Under their watch, Australia became the second-highest country in the OECD for labour shortages, and $3 billion was cut from VET funding. Let me be clear, TAFE is not wasteful. TAFE is vital. It is the backbone of Australia's VET sector. It is where we nurture talent, create opportunities and build the skilled workforce our country needs to thrive. From mining to clean energy, construction, health care and advanced manufacturing, TAFE leads the way in all these areas. Under this government, we are rebuilding our public TAFE system, including vocational education and creating opportunities for Australians everywhere, regardless of background or circumstances.

The future of our economy is tied to our people and their skills, potential and aspirations. The Skillaroos inspire us, reminding us of the power of opportunity and hard work. As Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics, they will get a warm-up with the WorldSkills National Championship being held in Brisbane next June. This government will continue to support Australia's skilled workforce ensuring the Skillaroos shine brighter than ever on the international stage. To every young Aussie considering a trade, a traineeship or a vocational pathway, tradies are cool, and those of us on this side of the chamber are backing you in. Your potential is limitless, and your skills are vital to our nation's future. Thank you all. Remember, tradies are cool. Keep going to TAFE. TAFE loves you, and we love you. Cheers.

Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy to follow the Member for Hunter, with no member of the opposition speaking in between. They've downed tools when it comes to skills and TAFE, sadly.

One of my favourite Moreton places to visit is the flagship TAFE centre in Bradman Road, Acacia Ridge. It has new state-of-the-art facilities and provides training across a wide range of trades, including automotive, manufacturing and design, resources and mining, electrotechnology and engineering, to name a few. There are similarly excellent centres all around the country, and not just in the cities. There are TAFES in regional, rural and remote areas. They are producing thousands of people with qualifications that are addressing skills shortages in in-demand sectors.

When you think of the thorough training students receive, it's no surprise that Australia was able to field such a strong team, the aptly named Skillaroos, at the recent international WorldSkills competition in France in September in Lyon. Luckily, I met some of them up here in the Mural Hall before they headed off to Lyon in France. I would like to congratulate the 29 young Aussies who showcased our outstanding vocational training sector. The Australian tradespeople, apprentices and trainees competed in events such as bricklaying, cybersecurity, cookery, plumbing, heating and fashion technology. The achievements of the Skillaroos are a reminder of how strong our vocational education and training sector is. In fact, it's of top world standard. This is important because a strong VET sector is crucial to set us up for Australia's future needs.

We know that by 2050 Australia will need a workforce where 80 per cent of the people have a university degree or some sort of TAFE qualification. The Albanese government understands that TAFE plays a key role in individuals setting themselves up for the future and in the development of a more productive workforce. TAFEs are also important when it comes to social infrastructure. They promote equity and inclusion, and inspire increased community cohesion. That's why Labor is committed to legislating for 100,000 fee-free TAFE places annually, across the country. We want to break down the barriers that are stopping people pursuing further education, and we know that Labor's free TAFE program has been a wonderful success story.

This program is direct cost-of-living relief, but it is much more than that. There have been 508,000 enrolments since 23 January. These enrolments bolster the workforces in the care sector, in technology and digital, in early childhood education and care, and in the construction sector—all areas where there were skills shortages. That's over half a million pathways to well-paid and secure employment, and the myriad benefits that that brings. Providing 100,000 fee-free places per year will ensure this ongoing pipeline of talent, which is also good for Australian businesses.

Another important factor in this government's free TAFE program is the benefit for priority cohorts. This has seen enrolment of 170,000 young Australians, 124,000 job seekers and 30,000 First Nations people. Sixty per cent of these places were taken by women, and nearly 30 per cent were in regional and remote Australia, because Labor will always look after the bush. The program truly has offered life-changing opportunities to all Australians.

The bolstering of the VET sectors by the Albanese government sits within Labor's bigger picture of future-focused investments. The May budget included $600 million in measures to strengthen skills growth and investment in key industries such as clean energy, manufacturing and construction. This funding included specific focus areas such as efforts to implement the transition to net zero, bolstering the Building Women's Careers Program, and upskilling the housing and construction workforces.

Step by step, the Albanese Labor government is fixing the mess left to us after a decade of coalition inaction. Those opposite left us with not only $1 trillion in debt and a couple of black mugs but also the second-highest labour shortage per capita in the OECD. After ignoring the VET sector while in office, the opposition then continued to try their best to stymie growth. They didn't back fee-free TAFE and they didn't back any associated measures, such as expanded access to new energy apprenticeships or support for women's careers. And now they've made it clear that they will continue to oppose fee-free TAFE—after all, they called it 'wasteful spending'. As usual, with the opposition, we are left with more questions than answers. Will they tear up the fee-free TAFE agreements with every state and territory? How much will it cost under a coalition government for people to get the qualifications our country so critically needs? And fundamentally, what is their plan to fix the skills shortage crisis that they created? If you were looking for some clarity in their budget reply, you wouldn't have found it either—not a single skills policy in it. The Leader of the Opposition can't spell skills. He can't spell TAFE.

Bridget Archer (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There being no further speakers, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.