Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Paterson for the question. I have to say that it's disappointing to hear Senator Cameron laugh. Senator Cameron, your former government presided over one of the worst rorts in the VET sector that this country has ever seen. When we came into office we became aware of the extent of Labor's failed VET FEE-HELP. They allowed shonky and dodgy providers to sign up vulnerable students to courses. The students had no capacity to complete the courses. They were offered inducements to complete the courses. They had no capacity at all or they didn't even know that they were signing up for a loan. We continue to clean up Labor's mess. What we have now done is introduce further legislation to ensure that we support the VET sector in Australia.

I will give a real-life example of someone who suffered as a result of Labor's failed VET FEE-HELP. A lady by the name of Anita enrolled in good faith in a diploma of business over the phone in 2012, never having been told that she would be liable for the course fees. She made a decision to withdraw from the course shortly after commencement and contacted her provider. Mr President, do you know what happened to Anita as a result of Labor's failed VET FEE-HELP system? She was saddled with a debt of $18,000 because of the conduct of a dodgy provider allowed by those on the other side. Well, on this side of the chamber, we're going to go into bat for people like Anita, and we are going to ensure that we do the right thing by her and bring the VET system's reputation back— (Time expired)