Disability Sector Employment

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (15:07): Further supplementary, sir: what is the government doing to engage young people and students of not disability support work but arguably related courses, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy? Is the government doing anything to encourage people in relevant studies, such as OT and physiotherapy to work as support workers while they complete their university qualifications?

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) (15:08): Our job as the government is to provide resources so that information is available for students and parents, who obviously take a great deal of interest in the training and education of their children. My responsibility is to make sure that information is available so that students can make an informed decision, not just in terms of the courses that are available but also the career pathways that they might lead to, and general information about the course providers as well. So, rather than us recommending that they do anything in particular, we encourage them to follow their own aspirations but provide the relevant information to help them make good choices.