Senator BRANDIS (Minister for the Arts and Sport) (12:24 PM) —I thank all honourable senators for their contributions to the second reading debate. The Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia’s Skills Needs) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2006 demonstrates the continued success of the Australian technical colleges program and reflects the progress that has been achieved to date in implementing the initiative. Twenty Australian technical colleges are currently operating, with one more to open in the next few months in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Some 2,000 students across Australia are attending the colleges this year. Four more colleges will commence in 2008. Once the colleges are fully operational, some 7,500 students will be trained by them each year.

Given that the legislation appropriating funds for this initiative only became available in late October 2005, this is a fantastic achievement by the government, with the initiative implemented well ahead of schedule. It normally takes an average of about three years to establish a new school. This government has established 20 Australian technical colleges in less than 18 months. Credit must be given to the local communities that have embraced the Australian technical college concept and ensured their swift implementation. Business and industry have shown great support for the colleges and are taking a leading role in the management of the colleges to ensure that they reflect local industry needs.

In a number of cases, existing education and training providers, including TAFEs, are working closely with the colleges. Those opposite appear not to realise this. To suggest that the Australian technical colleges are competing with or duplicating TAFEs is simply wrong. How many TAFEs are providing year 11 and 12 students with a senior secondary certificate and a year or more of full trade apprenticeship? None. The additional funding provided under this bill will ensure that the colleges are resourced to provide the highest levels of support to both students and the employers who engage students as school based apprentices.

A number of Australian technical colleges are operating sooner than anticipated. Several will now operate from multiple campuses to better service their region, and students at all colleges will be trained using the latest machinery and equipment. The impact of the Australian technical colleges initiative goes beyond just the direct benefits that the thousands of enrolled students and their employers will receive. Australian technical colleges will spearhead a change in culture whereby trade qualifications will become a highly valued alternative to a university degree. The colleges will develop a reputation that will show students and parents that vocational education and training provide access to careers that are secure, lucrative and rewarding.

The leadership shown by the Australian government through the initiative has resulted in all state and territory governments removing barriers to students undertaking full trade apprenticeships while still at school. In fact, it is encouraging to see that some states are now endeavouring to follow the Australian government’s lead and have announced their own initiatives to improve trade training in schools. We hope that these initiatives will be properly resourced and implemented.

The Australian technical colleges initiative is just one of a range of vocational and technical education initiatives that the Australian government is delivering during 2006-09. In fact, this government’s investment over that period will total more than $11.3 billion, the biggest commitment to vocational and technical education by any government in Australia’s history. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question put: