Christopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham, representing the Minister for the Environment. Can the minister update the Senate on the progress of rounds 2 and 3 of the government's Green Army initiative?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Back, for that question on the Green Army Programme, which is making exceptional progress in helping deliver practical environmental benefits to hundreds of sites around Australia, as well as providing valuable opportunities to thousands of young people to participate in environmental regeneration and to foster a new generation of community volunteers and those who will commit to making a difference in helping their local environment.

In fact, more than 500 Green Army projects have been engaged for delivery over the next three years in rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the project, which have been rolled out to date, with almost 5,000 young people aged between 17 and 24 expected to participate in these projects and gain the valuable benefit of the skills they will learn through participation, as well as the gift of a greater and better environment they will provide to their local communities through the types of projects involved. In total, the government expects to support some 15,000 young people through engagement in Green Army projects by 2018, and we are investing $525 million over the four years to deliver this vast expanse of environmental activism, environmental progress and, of course, hands-on practical experience for the young participants.

The feedback to date from those community organisations who are participating, as well as from the young people participating, is proving to be exceptionally valuable. The Green Army will make a real difference through the revegetation and regeneration of local parks; through habitat protection and restoration; by cleaning up our waterways, riverbanks and creek beds; through foreshore and beach restoration; and through the construction of boardwalks and walking tracks that will, of course, make the local environment even more accessible for more people to enjoy. (Time expired)

Christopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I ask: can the minister explain to the Senate how training and experience provided through the Green Army is helping young Australians to find jobs?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a very important question, because of course the Green Army project, whilst delivering practical environmental benefits, is also skilling young people with a sense of work culture and with practical skills. In fact, young people are paid a competitive allowance whilst receiving extensive training through participating in the Green Army Programme. All participants receive a certificate I or II through their training, as well as mandatory work health and safety and first aid training. These are all, of course, practical skills and recognised qualifications that they can take while they look for work beyond the Green Army participation. But perhaps most importantly, as with other government programs like Work for the Dole, they also get the culture of participating in a work program—the discipline of attending and participating in this work program. So they get the training as well as the practical work experience to take the next step in their lives.

Christopher Back (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I ask if the minister can inform the Senate of what participants are saying about their experiences with the Green Army.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, participants are incredibly positive about the experience they are getting through the Green Army Programme. A number have been talking to media outlets, extolling the virtues of the Green Army Programme, such as Jared Marsden, an 18-year-old from Mackay, who told the Daily Mercury:

I couldn't spend the whole day in an office …With this opportunity, I get to help the planet and learn practical skills at the same time.

Jade from the Barossa Valley, speaking to ABC News, said, 'I've always wanted a career in conservation'—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry, Mr President, that those opposite do not seem to care about the young people in this program and do not seem to take these opportunities seriously. Jade said, 'I've always'—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my left! Pause the clock. On my left! Senator Cameron!

Government senators interjecting—

And my right!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order on both sides!

Government senators interjecting—

On my right!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Minister.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Jade of the Barossa Valley said:

… this has been a great experience … I'm doing what I love, and if I wake up every day, going somewhere where I love going, I'm not fussed about the money at all.

(Time expired)