Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McGrath for the question. The Industry Skills Fund is a shining example of this government's commitment to support real training that connects with real jobs. It provides $476 million in funding over the next four years that will support some 200,000 training opportunities for people right around Australia. But importantly, they are training opportunities that relate to job-specific training, rather than what we saw those opposite engage in too much of, which was training for training's sake. Employers who contribute to the costs of the training through this program get to decide and model training for what is needed to grow their business, to grow employment opportunity in their business and, therefore, to create more jobs right around Australia. I am pleased to advise that the first grants under this program have started to flow. One of those first ones was to the iconic South Australian ice cream manufacturer, Golden North. And I know that ice cream is very dear to Senator McGrath's heart, as I am sure it is to many in this chamber, and I would implore all—

Senator Wong interjecting—

Even you Senator Wong, I am sure, enjoy Golden North from time to time!