APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Does the minister agree with the Premier that skills are 'the most important thing' when under his management the Construction Industry Training Board has now suspended all funding for training? Nationally accredited local training providers have been refused Skills for All funding, and payroll tax exemptions for apprentices and trainees have been cut off.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (14:29): Absolutely I agree with the Premier, and why wouldn't I?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: It is precisely the reason why the government is spending $194 million over the next six years for extra training places. It is precisely why we are introducing the Skills for All reforms. It is precisely why the government is spending more money on training than it ever has before, especially in conjunction with the federal government which is driving the reforms across the country for vocational education and training. It is not us who doubt the importance of skills. It is not us: it is the Leader of the Opposition.