My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Skills and Training, Senator Watt. The Albanese Labor government's signature free TAFE program is changing lives right around the country. The latest figures show more than 850,000 Australians have enrolled in courses like construction, health care, business and IT. How is free TAFE backing more Victorians and more Australians to get the skills they want to do the jobs we need?

Thanks, Senator Stewart, for your question. She is absolutely right: free TAFE is changing lives right across the country, not just in Victoria. Senator Stewart's home state, but in every single state across the country and territories as well. We've seen more than 850,000 new enrolments, and those numbers are rising every single day. As a result of the Albanese Labor government's free TAFE program, we've also seen 275,000 course completions, and that number is also growing day by day.

I know that Senator Stewart's questions refer to Victoria, which was the birthplace of free TAFE. That would have been under a state Labor government, I'm presuming, probably not a state coalition government. Jeff Kennett was more into closing TAFEs, as I recall, rather than providing free TAFE.

Oh, there they go, still genuflecting to Jeff Kennett. Oh, yes, there they go. We'll come to you, Senator Hume. Just be patient. In the last 3½ years, we've seen 185,000 free TAFE—

Oh, Senator Henderson, you made it back from CPAC. Congratulations. How did you get on at CPAC over the weekend, copying One Nation's policies as well?

Minister Watt, I'll draw you to the question.

It was great to have you in Brisbane over the weekend, Senator Henderson.

Minister Watt, I was drawing you back to the question.

In the last 3½ years, we've seen 185,000 free TAFE enrolments in Victoria alone, and that means more nurses, more tradies and more early childhood educators for Victoria. Free TAFE is growing the pipeline of skilled workers Australia needs, and that's why we've made it permanent. And yet the coalition and One Nation continue to stand against it. They voted against making it permanent, and at every opportunity they talk it down, and with it they talk down the hundreds of thousands of Australians who've seen the value in free TAFE.

Senator Stewart might be interested to find out that the most recent criticisms come from a trio of Victorians. On Radio National a fortnight ago, when asked where their savage budget cuts should come from, Senator Hume specifically called out free TAFE as something that needed to go. She's previously said that 'free TAFE' is a slogan and asked, 'Why would you continue it?' That is Senator Hume, a Victorian. (Time expired)

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Thank you, Minister Watt. With an ageing population and workforce shortages in growing industries, ensuring we have the workers required to meet the needs of today is vital for our economy. How is the Albanese Labor government's free TAFE program designed to help grow the pipeline of occupations that Australia needs?

It's not. It's failing.

():  Well. I'll take the interjection from Senator 'High-Taxing' Hume, and—

Minister Watt, withdraw that, thank you.

I withdraw. I do take the interjection from Senator Hume, though, and make the point that we do believe in free TAFE because we do believe that it's an effective way of ensuring that Australians gain the qualifications they need. Unfortunately, Senator Hume wasn't gripped by my first answer and she must have missed the fact that I made the point that free TAFE has already seen 275,000 course completions, and that number is growing every single day. As I was saying, Senator Hume specifically called out free TAFE as something that needed to be cut, and she isn't alone. Senator Henderson has said free TAFE is just not working, and that pesky Victorian the opposition leader in waiting, Josh Frydenberg—we know you're a fan of his, Senator Hume—was quoted in today's paper saying that the problem with free TAFE is that the costs add up. Senator Hume, we know, is a supporter of Josh Frydenberg's return. She has said that they want their A team on the frontbench and need him back. That means they've got the B team in place— (Time expired)

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Thank you, Minister.

Order across the chamber! Order! Senator Stewart, please begin again.

The Albanese Labor government is delivering real change by increasing the supply of housing across the country, and growing the pipeline of construction workers is vital to this work. How does free TAFE contribute to that work, and are there any risks to the progress that has been made?

Well, I think we know the answer. Senator Hume has made clear who the risk to this policy is, and that's Senator Hume herself. We're training more tradies to build the homes we need and drive our clean energy transition; more nurses to care for those who need it most; and more early childhood educators and aged-care workers educating and caring for our youngest and oldest Australians. That is what free TAFE provides under the Albanese Labor government.

But I'm pleased to say that free TAFE can also help others to gain the skills they so desperately need, like unknown politicians who crave attention but keep getting overshadowed by their political opponents and keep getting knifed by their colleagues. Yes, I'm talking about the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Taylor. There is hope at hand, Mr Taylor! There are TAFE courses available now to help you get the skills that you need. Maybe Mr Taylor could try a certificate IV in remedial massage, to fix the sore neck that he's always got from looking over his shoulder at Josh Frydenberg and his opponents coming at him. Those are the kinds of skills that are available through TAFE under the Albanese Labor government, and we'd be happy to offer Mr Taylor a course, just like every other Australian.