Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

While Labor agrees with the sentiments contained within the Greens motion, unfortunately we cannot support this motion due to the lack of detail and the absence of costings. We saw $1 billion in cuts to apprenticeship programs in last year's budget. The government have replaced apprentice support with apprentice debt. Before the election, Mr Abbott promised that the coalition would provide better support for Australia's apprentices. They have now had two budgets, and all we have seen are cuts, cuts and more cuts. We need to start investing in programs to develop the skills and training that Australians need to obtain the jobs of the future. But these proposals must be detailed and must be costed.