Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, too, rise to acknowledge National TAFE Day and the tremendous work of all our teachers, staff and other support workers. My colleagues and I are united on this. TAFE is an important institution in the education ecosystem. It supports Australians from all walks of life, of all ages, genders and backgrounds, to acquire vocational skills and learning, to transfer into key employment sectors across the community.

I'm proud to be part of an Albanese Labor government that understands the crucial role that TAFE plays in training and educating Australians. This year, our government's ambitious investments in TAFE have paid dividends, with our fee-free TAFE places smashing through targets. Labor's fee-free TAFE is helping Australians to acquire new skills and to access well-paid, secure jobs in demand. To date, the most popular fee-free TAFE courses to enrol in have been early childhood education and care; nursing; accounting and bookkeeping; and individual support. Education unlocks so many doors, and Australians have a federal government that supports TAFE—supports free education and better access.

I want to thank the Minister for Skills and Training for his work in this significant policy portfolio. To all the TAFE students on the mighty Central Coast in New South Wales: Keep on learning. Education is so vital for you. It's vital for our community. And it's vital for this country.