Vocational Education and Training

Mr McBRIDE (MacKillop) (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Industry and Skills. Can the minister update the house on how the state government is supporting training providers?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills) (15:01): I thank the member for MacKillop for his question. I know he is a strong advocate for vocational education and training. Friday a week ago, at the first vocational education and training provider forum, I announced the state government's $1 million Building Capacity program.

Almost 250 training providers, educators and stakeholders were involved in the Training Provider Forum held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The forum was also broadcast via live stream, so those who couldn't make it we were happy to accommodate through their computers at home to ensure wide involvement across the training sector. Through registered training organisations, group training, vocational education, training providers have a key role to play in the Marshall Liberal government's work to rebuild the training system in South Australia.

We remember, of course, the outcomes of the two TAFE reviews, which the education minister is now working to repair, and the cuts in government services that were reported in the February report. Nearly $12 million was cut from vocational education in the last year of the Labor government. The Marshall Liberal government is revitalising the training sector in South Australia, creating greater choice for employers and students and, more importantly for the modern workforce, more flexibility in the training sector.

Importantly, we're providing new opportunities for more South Australians to learn new skills, enter the workforce and enjoy rewarding careers. The Building Capacity program has been developed under Skilling South Australia to strengthen the capacity of teachers and trainers, as well as the assessors of apprentices and trainees—of course, all very important roles in part of the training process of apprentices and trainees. We are ensuring that our training system is ready and able to deliver the 20,800 apprentices and trainees over the next four years.

The federal government and state government are investing $203 million to deliver 20,800 new trainees and apprentices so that we're ready for the challenges and opportunities that come to South Australia through the $90 billion of defence spending over the next 40 years here in South Australia. On top of that, we're preparing South Australians to participate in the new technologies and new economies that are coming to South Australia through Lot Fourteen.

Previously, before the election of the Marshall Liberal government, the only way you could enter the cybersecurity space was through university. Now we have introduced a cybersecurity traineeship: Certificate IV in Cyber Security. The industry has said to us, 'We want to see additional pathways into our industry,' and that is exactly what we're doing.

This year, a series of professional development programs will be available to support and inspire excellence in promoting best practice in training, assessment and educational leadership. We have increased funding contestability, almost doubling the fewer than 400 subsidised training programs that were available under the previous government. Under their round of cuts, there were fewer than 400 subsidised training programs in the system. There are now 700 subsidised training opportunities in the system.

Under Labor, there were fewer than 400 and only 30 per cent available to the non-government sector. Now, under the Marshall Liberal government, there are 700 subsidised training opportunities, with 90 per cent available to the non-government sector. So you see, Mr Speaker, we have been out talking to industry, asking universities—

Dr Close interjecting:

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: TAFE, there was a comment about TAFE.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: From the Pauline Hanson of the Labor Party over here, there is a comment about TAFE. From taking foreign students last week and migrants today, sir, this is outrageous, as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—

Members interjecting:

Dr CLOSE: Point of order: I understand that I was likened to Pauline Hanson. That is outrageous and I ask for an apology and for it to be withdrawn.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader has taken offence at being called the Pauline Hanson—

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: The Pauline Hanson of the Labor Party, sir. That was—

The SPEAKER: Could you please withdraw that statement?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: I withdraw, sir. I withdraw.

The SPEAKER: Thank you.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister has withdrawn.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I'm on my feet. The member for Lee and the member for Mawson will leave for 15 minutes because I'm on my feet and this is ceasing.

The honourable members for Lee and Mawson having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: I heard the comment. I asked the minister to withdraw it. He withdrew it. He has withdrawn the comment. The member for Mawson will leave. If anyone else comments while I'm on my feet, they will be leaving the chamber. There is one question left. It's the 21^st question today, I believe. It will go to the member for Elizabeth.