Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (16:32):
I rise to celebrate two of my greatest passions—no, not burgers and the world's best wines from the Hunter, but skills and representing Australia on the world stage. When I was 15, I left school and headed to TAFE to pursue a trade as a fitter and turner, or for those who know anything about the industry, as a toolmaker. It was one of the best decisions of my life, opening doors to a fulfilling career and a keen sense of purpose. Later I had the privilege of representing Australia as an Olympian. There is no greater honour than representing your country. These experiences taught me the transformative power of dedication, skill and opportunity.
So what could be better than combining these passions—an 'Olympics' for trades and skilled professionals? Enter WorldSkills, a competition that gathers the world's most talented tradespeople, apprentices and trainees to test their expertise and showcase their mastery.
The 47th WorldSkills international competition was held recently in Lyon, France, breaking records with over 1,400 competitors from 70 countries. Representing Australia were 32 extraordinary young people, the Skillaroos. And let me tell you: they smashed it. Performing in front of thousands of spectators, the Skillaroos demonstrated passion, perseverance and world-class skill. Competing against 70 nations, they achieved 14th place in the points tally, a testament to their talent and the strength of Australia's vocational education system.
Among the champions was the Hunter's very own Neave O'Reilly, a nurse with the Hunter New England Local Health District, competing in health care. Neave ranked 14th in the world—a phenomenal achievement. Neave, you are one of the most skilled nurses on the planet, and we are proud and thankful to have you in our workforce. Congratulations to Neave and every other member of the Skillaroos team.
Behind these competitors stand dedicated mentors, coaches and supporters. I want to say thank you to you all. Great teams create great champions, and your efforts inspire the next generation of Australians to pursue skills and trades. The Skillaroos exemplify what is possible through our vocational education and training sector, particularly through TAFE. Their success highlights the importance of accessible, high-quality skills training. That is why this government is backing TAFE like never before. Through fee-free TAFE, we have removed financial barriers for more than 508,000 Australians, giving them the chance to pursue fulfilling careers in essential industries like health care, construction and digital technologies.
In just 18 months, fee-free TAFE has exceeded expectations. Six in 10 places have been taken up by women and a third by Australians from rural and regional areas. This program has changed lives, provided cost-of-living relief and addressed critical skills shortages across our nation. Yet those opposite dismiss fee-free TAFE as wasteful spending. Last week, they voted against it. They had a decade to address Australia's skills shortages and failed to act. Under their watch, Australia became the second-highest country in the OECD for labour shortages, and $3 billion was cut from VET funding. Let me be clear, TAFE is not wasteful. TAFE is vital. It is the backbone of Australia's VET sector. It is where we nurture talent, create opportunities and build the skilled workforce our country needs to thrive. From mining to clean energy, construction, health care and advanced manufacturing, TAFE leads the way in all these areas. Under this government, we are rebuilding our public TAFE system, including vocational education and creating opportunities for Australians everywhere, regardless of background or circumstances.
The future of our economy is tied to our people and their skills, potential and aspirations. The Skillaroos inspire us, reminding us of the power of opportunity and hard work. As Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics, they will get a warm-up with the WorldSkills National Championship being held in Brisbane next June. This government will continue to support Australia's skilled workforce ensuring the Skillaroos shine brighter than ever on the international stage. To every young Aussie considering a trade, a traineeship or a vocational pathway, tradies are cool, and those of us on this side of the chamber are backing you in. Your potential is limitless, and your skills are vital to our nation's future. Thank you all. Remember, tradies are cool. Keep going to TAFE. TAFE loves you, and we love you. Cheers.
