Wednesday, 17 May 2023

 John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:31): (171) Today I rise to ask a question for the Minister for Training and Skills, Minister Tierney. The Andrews Labor government will provide access to free TAFE for those studying in an industry with a skills shortage as part of the $1.2 billion A Future Made in Australia skills plan. This policy supports school leavers and workers looking to train or retrain, and it benefits businesses who need more skilled workers. After a decade of the Liberal–National government cutting TAFE and slashing apprenticeships and traineeships, it cannot come quick enough. It will provide opportunities in trades, resources, digital industries, cybersecurity, new energy and advanced manufacturing, and there will be 465,000 free TAFE places, including 45,000 new TAFE places. My question to the minister is: what impact will free TAFE have on my community of Southern Metro?