Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash. Why is the minister pushing a plan to allow people to qualify for some trades with no on-the-job training?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the question, the premise of the question is false. That is not what is occurring.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, a supplementary question?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research released a report last week that showed on-the-job training was critical to helping Australians get work. So why is the Morrison government doing the opposite?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, perhaps you did not listen to or understand my answer to your primary question. The premise of your question is false. I know who you've been talking to. That's fine. That's not a problem at all. The government has no plans—let me confirm—no plans to ban—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat please, Senator Cash. If I had to pick a voice in the chamber I would not have trouble hearing, it would be Senator Cash. There is way too much noise. I meant that as a compliment, Senator Cash! If I can't hear Senator Cash, there's too much noise in this chamber.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government, despite what you have been told, has no plans to ban on-the-job training. In fact, we are firmly of the belief that workplace requirements are a critical part of developing the skillset required and an important element of competency based training in Australia.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, a final supplementary question?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the government has presided over $3 billion in cuts from TAFE and the loss of 140,000 Australian apprentices, isn't dropping on-the-job training the latest example of the Morrison government leaving Australian apprentices, like Isobel from Tempco and John from Incat, who are up in the gallery here today, behind?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to your question is no. What I'd say to both Isobel and John—I understand they met with my office today; I was unable to meet with them but I congratulate them on the work they're undertaking—is that the premise of the question is false. The government have no plans to ban on-the-job training; in fact, as I've already stated, we value workplace requirements. We believe they are critical to developing skills and an important part of competency based training in Australia.

But, more broadly, you've actually asked me this Quill's question—thank you; that is fantastic. What has the Prime Minister said? Vocational education and skills are at the forefront of our economic recovery from COVID-19. That is why the government is investing, this year alone, almost $7 billion, colleagues, in vocational education and training. That is why we have put in place the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Cash, time for the answer has expired.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is why we have put in place the boosting apprentices—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Cash, time for the answer has expired, thank you.

Senator Cash interjecting—

Please resume your seat, Senator Cash. Please resume your seat. Senator Cash! I was calling on the minister to resume her seat, and I have been ignored much more while calling for order generally across the chamber. Ministers should actually resume their seat when I say time has concluded.