Brian Burston (NSW, United Australia Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Cash. Minister, a couple of weeks ago I responded to a call from a New South Wales butcher, Darren Wilson, who was denied access to the new Apprentice Wage Subsidy trial despite his proud history of employing apprentices and supporting both his industry and local community. Mr Wilson, whose business is located in regional New South Wales, at Forster, on the New South Wales North Coast, was to be denied access to the scheme because he had employed apprentices over the previous three years. I have been assured that this was a bureaucratic error and would be corrected. Minister, can you confirm the steps the government has taken to ensure Mr Wilson and other hardworking small-business owners in rural and regional Australia can get access to this subsidy and not be punished for prior investment in apprentices?