Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill for her question. I do not have specific information with regard to the detail of that question, so I'll have to take it on notice. I would say that the government is very proud of the PaTH program and the 25,000 jobs it's created, particularly for young Australians. As I said earlier today, it's very important that we give young Australians a start. So we make no apology for creating a very strong program that can do that.

Indeed, Youth Jobs PaTH is delivering real results for young Australians right across the country, from inner city suburbs to regional towns. As I said, more than 25,000 jobs have been created. Nearly 70 per cent of young people who complete their internships move on to a real, paid job that will help that young person move from what would otherwise be a future of welfare into work. That is what we want to see for young Australians, not just for the important financial security that a job provides but also for, of course, the personal dignity and sense of fulfilment that come from having paid employment rather than relying on the charity of or payments from others.

As of 24 June this year, the Employability Skills Training program has helped 21,799 young people with their work readiness through tailored, industry-specific training. Of those, 7,185 jobseekers—that is, 33 per cent—have gone on to an internship or job placement within six months of commencing their course. PaTH internships have helped another 2,292 young interns build their work experience and skills in the workplace to gain employment, and Youth Bonus wage subsidy agreements have supported the creation of over 25,000 jobs. These are great results for young Australians, and we hope that this program continues to support young Australians to get a job and get on with their lives in a way that gives them dignity and financial security.