House debates

Wednesday, 11 September 2019

Questions without Notice

Vocational Education and Training

2:04 pm

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. The number of Australians doing an apprenticeship or a traineeship is lower than it was a decade ago, so why has this government cut $3 billion from TAFE and training?

Photo of Scott MorrisonScott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | | Hansard source

I've learnt from experience that when the member for Sydney puts forward statistics or figures they can never be taken at face value. But what I can tell you is that at the last election our government committed to 80,000 new apprentices and, as that program has begun to be wound out, we've already had 2,000 people take up that program, and we look forward to further success.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister's concluded his answer. Is—

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

I just wanted to offer to table the figures.

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I haven't called the member for Sydney yet. Is the member for Sydney seeking to table the document?

Photo of Tanya PlibersekTanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | | Hansard source

I was seeking to table a document to prove the numbers that the Prime Minister is questioning.

Leave not granted.