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

SCOTT MORRISON’S LATEST HEADLINE ON APPRENTICES
 

 
After spending seven years creating a tradie crisis in Australia, we would welcome the Liberals cleaning up some of their mess. 
 
But let’s see if Scott Morrison actually delivers anything.
 
Everyone knows the Prime Minister is all photo opp and no follow up.
 
The Liberals promised an extra 300,000 apprentices and trainees. Yet the reality is more than 140,000 apprentices and trainees have been lost on their watch.
 
Today’s announcement doesn’t go close to making up for seven years of Liberal Party failure that’s seen more than $3 billion cut from TAFE and training, more than 140,000 apprentices and trainees gone, and widespread tradie shortages including carpenters, plumbers, and metalworkers.
 
Labor’s been calling on the Liberals to help apprentices and trainees for years. Since COVID-19 hit, the need for help has been more urgent than ever. Many apprentices lost work because of Scott Morrison’s slow response to COVID-19. And the number of people starting apprenticeships and traineeships this year is down by 22 per cent.
 
Mr Morrison needs to understand there’s more to supporting apprentices than his fake tradie act where he plays dress up in hi-vis.

SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2020