Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (12:23):
I move, in relation to prioritising trade apprentices:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to supporting apprentices and addressing the skills shortage which was left unaddressed by the previous Government;
(2) notes the failure of the previous Government to adequately support trade apprentices, instead diverting taxpayer funds to big business, including:
(a) $72 million to McDonald's, which posted record profits of $360 million in 2022-23;
(b) $28.3 million to Grill'd, despite its profits surging by 700 per cent, hitting $15.8 million in 2020-21; and
(c) $1.6 million to a Domino's franchisee in South Australia, which was later banned from employing apprentices due to a failure to meet training obligations;
(3) commends the Government for prioritising trade apprentices through new initiatives, including:
(a) introducing the Housing Construction Apprenticeship Program, providing $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in key residential construction trades; and
(b) increasing the allowance for apprentices living away from home, the first increase in more than 20 years; and
(4) supports these measures as vital steps towards building a skilled, sustainable workforce.
I want to highlight this government's strong commitment to its apprentices. Right now is a great time to start an apprenticeship in Australia. Sparkies, plumbers, chippies, mechanics, landscapers, painters, brickies, boilies, fitters and so many more other workers that keep our economy booming are all vital trades that begin with an apprenticeship.
When we came into government three years ago Australia was facing a severe skill shortage. This shortage spanned numerous trades and industries, holding our economy back and limiting growth opportunities for the business sector across Australia. When I speak to businesses in the Hunter they tell me that the lack of skilled workers is stifling their ability to expand. Whether they're in mining, viticulture or manufacturing, businesses are struggling to find the workers they desperately need.
We listen to what businesses are telling us, and that's why addressing the skills shortage has been one of our highest priorities. We knew it wouldn't be an overnight fix. Instead we've made a long-term investment in growing our skilled workforce by opening up pathways to education and training and making apprenticeships more attractive. Through long-term investment, we are steadily closing the skills gap. We've rebuilt the TAFE system and provided apprentices with the support they need to succeed.
We had to rebuild the TAFE system because those opposite unfortunately left TAFE in ruins. They gutted funding, leaving the system on its knees. Is it any wonder that these reckless cuts led to a skills shortage? Without a strong TAFE system, how can we train the workers our economy needs? Those opposite like to think they understand the economy better, but their actions tell a different story. By slashing TAFE funding and making apprenticeships harder to complete, they discouraged people from entering the trades, making the skills crisis even worse.
We have still got a long way to go, but this government is committed to ending the skills shortage by supporting apprentices at every stage. Recently we announced even more initiatives to further support apprentices. We are providing up to $10,000 in incentive payments for apprentices to keep in key residential construction trades. We have also increased the allowance for apprentices living away from home—the first increase in over 20 years. Those opposite have shown their true colours and have said these investments are wasteful spending. Their flawed logic suggests that by cutting TAFE funding and slashing apprenticeship support, skilled workers somehow would just appear. When they did make cuts, they didn't re-invest that saving. Instead, they handed millions of taxpayers' dollars to their big-business mates—$72 million to McDonald's; $1.6 million to a single Domino's franchisee, who, later, was banned from employing apprentices for failing to meet training obligations. Although I do love a good burger, I don't think the previous government should have wasted $28 million in taxpayers' money on the Grill'd burger chain. That money should have been spent directly on supporting apprentices as they gained the skills to help power our economy.
The fact is that the opposition makes life harder for apprentices because they look down on people who don't have a university degree. I've had coalition supporters tell me that I'm not educated. They mock me for dropping out of school. But I'm proud that I went to TAFE. I'm proud that I chose a job where I could work with my hands. It takes all types of workers to build a strong advanced economy like the one that we have here in Australia. All Australian workers deserve respect and should be supported in pursuing the career of their dreams.
Just last week, I spoke with Jackson, who's a young chippie from the Hunter. He told me that without the government's support, he wouldn't have been able to afford the tools and training he needed to complete his apprenticeship. Thanks to our investment in TAFE and apprenticeship incentives, Jackson is now on track to becoming a fully qualified carpenter, helping to build the homes and infrastructure in our community. Completing an apprenticeship is more than just learning technical skills. It's about developing confidence, building connections and preparing for a successful career.
That's why TAFE is so important. It gives apprentices the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and gain valuable insights that will help set them up for long-term success. I'm proud to stand here as a member of the government that values and respects apprentices—the government that is making their lives easier, not harder. We are building the workforce Australia needs to end the skills shortage and to make our country the best place it can be. To those that look down on tradies, honestly, shame on you. Tradies are the ones that build your houses. They're the ones that cut your hair and cut your kids' hair. They're the ones that do the concreting. They're the ones that do all the work where people get their hands dirty for the ones that don't want that. Shame on you for looking down on them.
