Debate resumed from 15 October, on motion by Dr Nelson:

upon which Mr Albanese moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not seeking to deny the Bill a second reading, the House condemns the Government for:

(1) failing to develop comprehensive transition strategies to assist young people, thereby abandoning at least 205,300 15 to 19 years olds, placing them at risk of not making a successful transition from school to work;

(2) failing to keep its election promise to young people to provide a comprehensive response in the 2002 budget to the Youth Pathways Report;

(3) failing to address youth unemployment, which is on the rise;

(4) refusing to acknowledge the substantial adverse impact that the Government's Welfare Reform initiatives are having on TAFE;

(5) failing to take a holistic approach to the needs of indigenous Australians resulting in a decline in participation in courses leading to a qualification;

(6) the Minister's double standards in espousing concern for the welfare of young Australians but failing to take any meaningful action to invest in their training needs; and

the House further notes that State and Territory Labor Governments have made significant achievements in the implementation of VET in schools while the Commonwealth has refused to provide growth funding, making the Labor States and Territories the leaders in this field”.