Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I can assure you, Senator Bilyk, through you, Mr President, we make no apologies for senators on this side of the chamber showing an interest in what government is doing to implement good policy to get our youth the training they need, to get them that foot in the door and, ultimately, to ensure that they get into sustainable employment.

That is why in April our $763 million investment in our Youth Jobs PaTH does commence. As we have said, this is all about getting our youth ready, getting them the skills that they need, giving them a go, getting them that foot in the door. We often talk to our youth, and what do we hear from them? They would love to have the opportunity to undertake some work experience or to get a job, but employers will not take them on—because they do not have that experience. Ultimately, we need to get them a job.

Of course, one of the things we are focused on is young Australians who are caught up in that cycle of intergenerational unemployment and welfare dependency. They need the government to work with employers and make an investment in them. Mr President, I am disappointed that those on the other side continue to oppose getting our youth off welfare and into a job. Andrew Leigh, last year, a member in the other place, supported the program until the ACTU said, 'You can no longer support the program.' And Labor, unfortunately, changed their tune. (Time expired)