Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. As you would know, in relation to government programs, departments undertake ongoing consultation and, certainly, in relation to this program, the department undertook extensive consultation, in particular with employers but also with jobseekers and job providers.

Regarding my own consultation, I talk to youth all the time and I ask them what the barriers are in relation to getting them off welfare and into work. Overwhelmingly, I am often advised that they cannot get their foot in the door. They do not have the requisite skills that an employer requires. That is why the government was very upfront about the fact that this program directly responds to feedback received by youth—and, in many cases, it is their parents who say, 'I do not want to see my son or daughter living a lifetime of welfare, but I don't have the capacity to give them the skills they need.' The feedback has been overwhelming in terms of the government ensuring that these young people to have the employability skills that employers are looking for.

I have some further information about consulting. The department of employment, as I said—it is ongoing consultation, obviously, in relation to government programs with a wide range of organisations and the design of the jobactive PaTH. It, clearly, takes on board all views—in fact, I have to say again: the shadow minister, Ed Husic, was very good in terms of providing me with feedback. I understand that—and I do not have the brief date of this—they consulted with over 50 organisations, including industry peak bodies, industry associations, employment services, peak bodies, unions, employers and state government departments.

The department released a consultation paper to seek stakeholders' views about the employability skills training, which was the first element of jobactive PaTH. More than 70 written submissions were received by the department, with stakeholders providing positive feedback—so extensive consultation was undertaken.