Review confirms success of VET Student Loans

The Turnbull Government’s VET Student Loans (VSL) program is well targeted and has addressed the flaws that existed under the former VET FEE-HELP scheme, a review into the methodology for determining the approved courses and loan caps has confirmed. Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews today responded to the findings of a…

Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

I rise to speak on the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017. There are two indisputable facts that have arisen in the public debate on same-sex marriage: (1) Australians have voted overwhelmingly to change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples; and (2) Australians want to ensure that religious freedoms are safeguarded.…

Reforms stem VET FEE-HELP cost blowouts

New statistics released today highlight the success of the Turnbull Government’s measures to rein in cost blowouts in the final years of the disastrous VET FEE-HELP scheme.  Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews said the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research’s (NCVER) Australian vocational education and training statistics: Financial Information 2016…

Fixing Labor’s mess in VET and apprenticeships

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, said today that the Turnbull Government is significantly boosting funding to increase Australia’s skilled workforce and fix the mess left by Labor in vocational education and apprenticeships. Claims by Labor’s spokesman on Skills, TAFE and Apprenticeships, Doug Cameron, of Coalition cuts are misleading and conveniently fail…

New initiative to highlight the value of apprenticeships and vocational education

A new initiative launched today by the Turnbull Government will showcase and promote the diverse range of rewarding careers available through vocational education and training. Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, today launched real skills for real careers to champion the benefits of VET and Australian Apprenticeships. Speaking at the 2017 Australian…