Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I do not accept the premise of part of the question, but I will put that to one side and respond in this way. One practical measure we intend to implement is the government's trade support loans, which is before the Senate as we speak. It is an investment of $1.9 billion and will support those who learn a trade in ways that are targeted, practical and job-ready. And I will say to Senator Madigan that I think that he, like me, would agree that there is a group of Australian young people who have had the opportunity to have a university education, but what about that group of Australian young men and women who want to do a trade—who want to contribute to this nation with a trade and those skills? They have been left behind, and this government is determined to overturn what the former government did. We are proud of our young men and women doing trades, and we will do all we can to support them. (Time expired)