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

I really expect the Senate will believe that there was a real decline in apprenticeship commencements from 2012 to 2013 of 38 per cent, which occurred because of policy changes instigated by the former Labor government—creating, of course, a significant decline in overall numbers of apprentices, necessitating action to look at alternative ways to get a recovery in place in apprenticeship numbers. That is exactly what we are working to do, to get a recovery in place in terms of leadership numbers. I equally expect the Senate to believe the findings of the ANAO in relation to things such as the $300 million pre-election splurge that those opposite undertook in the Early Years Quality Fund, all of it designed to drive more people into membership of United Voice—a $300 million union membership splurge. Put that alongside other failures of their side, such as their decisions into— (Time expired)