THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY


TRADIE NUMBERS PLUNGE AGAIN UNDER SCOTT MORRISON

Australians will find it harder than ever to find a carpenter, plumber, or bricklayer, with the news today that tradie numbers have taken a big nose dive under Scott Morrison.

According to troubling new independent data, the number of people taking up construction trades last year plunged by nearly 12 per cent.

This is further proof that the Liberals’ cuts to TAFE created a tradie shortage before coronavirus.

Under Scott Morrison, Australia has gone from having a tradie shortage before coronavirus, to having a tradie crisis now.

We will need tradies to help Australia recover after coronavirus – to lift us out of recession – so why won’t Scott Morrison help save tradies now?

Seven years of the Liberals has seen $3 billion cut from TAFE and training, widespread skills shortages, and 140,000 apprentices and trainees lost.

On top of that, we recently learnt that another 100,000 apprentices and trainees will go this year if Scott Morrison doesn’t do something serious to help.

There was a 73 per cent fall in apprentice job ads between January and April this year.

The Australian Industry Group says youth unemployment will skyrocket if there isn’t a substantial increase in Federal Government support.

It’s all very well to talk about construction projects and renovations, but you need tradies to build them. Scott Morrison has no plan for that.

ENDS