David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister inform the Senate of the extent of interest by some states in the Skilling Australians Fund?

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

I thank Senator Fawcett for his question and his interest in the Skilling Australians Fund, which is indeed structured in a way to create greater opportunities for Australians, particularly young Australians, to secure training opportunities for their future. It's about ensuring that we provide training in areas of economic growth: priority areas such as hospitality, tourism, health, manufacturing, building and construction, agriculture and digital technologies. All together it's around a $1½ billion commitment from the federal government to work with the states and territories on creating more opportunities by re-engineering the partnership in skilling in vocational and educational training between the Commonwealth and the states and territories so that we get improved outcomes, particularly in relation to apprenticeships.

I'm pleased to say that already there has been significant interest from states. In particular, last week we saw the Hodgman Liberal government promise that, if re-elected, they would help address the increasing demand for skilled workers across a number of sectors by investing some $7 million to establish a trades and water centre of excellence. I know that the Hodgman government has achieved great results in lifting the number of apprentices in training in Tasmania since they came to office. Through commitments like this and their commitment to working with us in relation to the Skilling Australians Fund, we would see even more opportunity for Tasmanians.

Equally, Senator Fawcett, in our home state of South Australia the Marshall Liberal opposition committed that, if elected, they would invest $100 million to partner with the Skilling Australians Fund to create 20,000 new places in vocational education and training, creating 20,000 new opportunities for young South Australians to secure apprenticeships and traineeships in areas of economic growth, creating job opportunities for them into the future.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a supplementary question.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could the minister provide some additional information as to how the Skilling Australians Fund could benefit South Australia if that investment were made?

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

Indeed, as I just mentioned, a Marshall Liberal government has committed to providing $100 million to secure matching funding under the Skilling Australians Fund, creating more than 20,000 new places in the vocational educational system. They will provide, indeed, some 20,800 specific estimates of places in new apprenticeships and new traineeships.

And the response from employers is positive. Master Builders Association of SA stated it was great to see Steven Marshall and John Gardner backing apprenticeships and non-government training providers. Addressing the current skills shortage is a top priority for the building and construction industry. Of course, it comes on top of other commitments that they have made that would feed into our Skilling Australians Fund to deliver a new technical college in Adelaide's north-western suburbs, with a focus on encouraging students to work in the defence industry sector—a critical skills opportunity that I know, Senator Fawcett, you appreciate, where the Turnbull government is delivering record levels of investment and growth.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Fawcett, a final supplementary question.

David Fawcett (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister would be aware that I initiated an inquiry into TAFE in South Australia due to concerns around CASA withdrawing the qualifications of people who had trained there. Is the minister able to explain to the Senate why an inquiry into the failings of TAFE of South Australia and the South Australian government ended up being held in Sydney?

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

Thank you, Senator Fawcett, for that question. Indeed, the only explanation for why it is that a properly constituted Senate inquiry looking into the failings of the Weatherill Labor government in South Australia and the management of the TAFE system there—an inquiry supported by the Greens and the crossbench in its establishment—would hold its only hearing in Sydney is that those opposite wanted to cover up the failings of the Weatherill Labor government. TAFE SA has been in a state of ongoing mess, debacle and embarrassment, with around 800 students impacted by compliance issues in relation to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and many more impacted by compliance issues by the—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cameron on a point of order.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We should understand exactly what happened. Senator Reynolds agreed to both the time and the place, and the evidence is that it is a disaster for the Liberals.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is not a point of order. I remind ministers not to reflect on the motives of others in the chamber.

Senator Wong interjecting—

Can I continue, Senator Wong! The motives of other senators should not be reflected upon in questions or answers, particularly assigning a motive to another senator's actions. Senator Birmingham.

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

Those opposite were clearly out to help the Weatherill Labor government in covering their tracks. Even the education union—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Birmingham, please resume your seat. Senator Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do I need to say anything? I will take the point of order. He is flouting the ruling of the President. How about that?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, I think that, in my time in this chamber, suggesting a member of a party is helping out a member of another party has never been ruled to be reflecting on the motives of another senator. Senator Birmingham.

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

They are so sensitive about the failings of the Weatherill Labor government in SA, which can't keep the lights on and has driven jobs away, and their TAFE sector has been an absolute debacle and embarrassment.