Debate resumed from 16 November, on motion by Mr Clare:

That this bill be now read a second time.

upon which Dr Southcott moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading , the House:

(1)    is concerned that 71,500 young Australians have lost their jobs since the election of the Rudd Government;

(2)    expresses its concern that 108,300 full-time jobs have been lost amongst young Australians over the last twelve months;

(3)    notes that commencements among traditional trade apprentices have fallen by 21.2% in the 12 months to March 2009;

(4)    notes that the proportion of young Australians not in full-time education or full-time employment has risen under this Government;

(5)    condemns the Government for abolishing Green Corps as a youth development programme;

(6)    is concerned that the Minister for Employment Participation believes that six month work experience placements are a substitute for a job;

(7)    calls on the Government to outline how many new green jobs were in the Prime Minister’s announcement to the ALP National Conference on 30 July;

(8)    calls on the Government to outline how many green jobs will be created in this term of Parliament; and

(9)    calls on the Government to outline its strategy to create jobs for young Australians”.