Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

New education department data shows that about 620 apprentices and trainees in Darwin and Palmerston have been lost under Scott Morrison's third-term Liberal government and it's holding our Top End community back; it's holding our economy back. Around Australia, that figure is 140,000. There are 140,000 fewer apprentices and trainees now than there were when those opposite took government. It is hurting not only the Territory's economy but our nation's economy. As a result, we now have a shortage of bricklayers, plumbers, hairdressers, bakers, electricians, mechanics, panel beaters and other critical trades. The Prime Minister's skills crisis is holding back local businesses and denying local jobs. We've got great businesses up in the Northern Territory and they want to grow and hire more staff, but they've been let down by the failure in education, the failure to properly fund the TAFE sector. Don't just take my word for it. The Australian Industry Group says that 75 per cent of businesses report that they are struggling to find the qualified workers that they need. That's what happens when you rip $3 billion out of this vital sector for the growth of our economy and this nation.