House debates Questions without Notice

Vocational Education and Training

Wednesday, 28 May 2014 House of Representatives

Sharon Bird

Sharon Bird Cunningham, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Vocational Education

3:03 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister agree with the industry minister that Tools for Your Trade payments were being spent on tattoos and mag wheels? Is this why the Prime Minister cut funding for apprenticeships and training in the budget? Don't young Australians trying to get an apprenticeship deserve proper support, not cuts and not condescension?

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

We have replaced one program with a better one. It is as simple as that. We have replaced one program with a better one and in the process we have substantially increased support for apprentices.