Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

As an aside, I'm always disappointed when a reference to anything in the Soviet era is made in this chamber when Senator Kim Carr is not present—it's a missed opportunity. However, in all seriousness, because it's a serious question that Senator Lambie asks, the federal government is not in the business of directly funding those institutions. Our business is in funding the states and territories, who own the TAFEs, who operate the TAFEs and who set the policies around enrolment in the TAFEs, and in making sure that those states and territories are held to account for investing in the skills needs that Australians want to pursue.

I know that Senator Cash, in negotiating with the states and territories, has a laser-like focus on ensuring that they are looking at spending every single dollar on the things that will give training with optimal employment outcomes for young Australians, whether that's investing in the equipment, investing in the types of subsidies that are delivered to those students, making sure they get the skills— (Time expired)