The Albanese Labor Government's Free TAFE bill is one step closer after passing the House of Representatives this afternoon.
The legislation will lock in an ongoing, coordinated approach with states and territories, to address local and national skills shortages, while delivering cost of living relief to those who need it most.
Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley and the Liberals and Nationals shamefully tried to block the bill in the House declaring that a key tenet of the Liberal Party is "if you don't pay for something, you don't value it."
This would have ripped away the opportunity from hundreds of thousands of Australians wanting to undertake free study.
The choice is now clear for Australians - Peter Dutton and the Liberal-National parties who will cut Free TAFE, or the Albanese Government who will ensure Free TAFE is here to stay.
Since the Albanese Government's Free TAFE program started in January 2023, there have been close to 600,000 enrolments.
That includes more than 170,000 young Australians, 124,000 job seekers and 30,000 First Nations Australians.
More than 6 in 10 places have been taken up by women and one in three in regional and remote Australia.
These students are wiring our nation; building the houses and transport we need, caring for some of our most vulnerable and helping to keep the lights on in Australian homes.
The work to gain those skills doesn't happen overnight. It takes a Government's vision, investment and commitment to help students succeed.
The Albanese Labor Government's Free TAFE is helping to tackle cost-of-living pressures, while giving Australians the skills they want to fill the jobs our growing nation needs.
Quotes Attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"Free TAFE opens doors and gives Australians one of the greatest opportunities they have - not just to fulfil their potential, but expand it.
"And in the process, Australia fulfils more of its own vast potential.
"It is a home-grown solution to the skills gaps hampering business and hurting the economy.
"Getting TAFE right means we're better placed to get the future right."
Quotes Attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:
"Free TAFE is changing lives.
"A key tenet of the Labor party is to leave no one behind and our Free TAFE bill is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Australians.
"In the Labor party we know how hard TAFE students study to succeed.
"And with the help of our fantastic TAFE teachers, we are educating the next generation of Australians, who will take our nation forward.
"Together with $10,000 incentive payments for housing construction apprentices and upped support for all apprentices, Free TAFE is helping to provide cost of living relief, while building the workforce in critical areas like health, housing and manufacturing.
"The choice is now clear for Australians - Peter Dutton and the Liberal National Party will cut Free TAFE. Only Anthony Albanese and Labor will ensure Free TAFE is here to stay.
"Around 600,000 have already benefited from Free TAFE and we want to make sure millions more will be able to.
"There is a clear difference between Labor and the Liberals when it comes to Free TAFE and Australians know it is only the Albanese Labor Government that is backing them to get the skills they want and the skills our growing nation needs."
