Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his supplementary. No, we don't agree with that proposition. What I would like to point out in this context is that, as part of our budget, the government has actually established the $476 million Industry Skills Fund to support businesses seeking to enter the export market diversify or improve competitiveness in the global market. This industry skills investment fund is a strategic vehicle for supporting businesses to be competitive in the global market and to grow the Australian economy. It will commence on 1 January 2015 and will deliver up to 200,000 targeted training places and support services over four years. It addresses key industry feedback provided in particular to the Vocational Education and Training Reform Task Force about the need for skills training to be responsive and relevant to business needs.

So this government is working through a series of practical initiatives— (Time expired)