Mr MARTIN FERGUSON —My statement relates to the extraordinary attack made last week by one of Australia's major employer groups on the government's proposed training wage. The Metal Trades Industry Association, which represents 6,500 businesses around this country, has condemned the government's plans to abolish wages for on-the-job training for young people. This major organisation of manufacturing employers in Australia says that this part of the new government's workplace relations bill will, firstly, undermine Australia's skills base; secondly, sabotage the national training effort; thirdly, reduce Australia's competitiveness; and, fourthly, hold back our exports.

What a shocking exposure of this government's claims to be concerned about training and real jobs for young people when all it is really concerned about is making some of its parasitic business friends rich at young people's expense. How galling it must be for Senator Vanstone, Dr Kemp and Mr Abbott to have their real agenda so quickly and so clearly exposed by this highly reputable representative of Australian industry.

The government should immediately withdraw its proposals on youth wages and training and start to consult properly with the groups and people affected by such changes if it really wants to do something positive about youth unemployment and avoid further embarrassment on the training agenda.