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

As part of what we are doing to get Australians job ready, we are heavily investing in the VET sector. Mr President, the economic conditions are right to create jobs and, as you know, in excess of 1.1 million jobs have been created since we were elected to office. We also know that employers want Australians with work-ready skills, and that is where the VET sector is just so important.

In terms of apprentices, what have we done? We've invested $1.5 billion in the Skilling Australians Fund because we want to create up to an additional 300,000 more Australian—

Senator Cameron interjecting—

Senator Cameron, thank you for mentioning South Australia, because, colleagues from South Australia, guess what? The Marshall government is the first state government to get their project over the line under the Skilling Australians Fund. I say congratulations to Steven Marshall as Premier of South Australia, a Liberal Premier, because he wants more apprentices and he is working with the federal government. (Time expired)