Apprentices and Trainees

The Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (14:51): I thank the minister for her concern for my political career and my physical condition. I ask the minister: does the minister agree that reinstating payroll tax exemption will positively impact the number of apprenticeships and training positions, which relates to a component of her answer?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:51): I comprehensively answered the question both in terms of the reason behind the decline in apprenticeship and training numbers, which is that the federal Liberal government ripped the heart out of apprenticeship and trainee funding.

I also indicated comprehensively yesterday and today this government's commitment to assisting businesses to grow and to be vibrant and to grow jobs here in South Australia, and that includes apprentices and trainees and includes the considerable infrastructure program that we have. Of course, when you build things it does attract considerable jobs for apprentices and trainees.

I have outlined comprehensively this government's commitment and its comprehensive strategy to assist apprentices and trainees. I still issue the same challenge—that Mr McLachlan have the guts to stand up for South Australian apprentices and trainees.