Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I share Senator Siewert's concern for youth unemployment. All unemployment is a scourge. It is something that we all should be united in overcoming in this chamber, especially for the young people of our nation, who are seeking to make their way. That is why as a first item of business this government is concerned with restoring the economy. Restoring the economy includes getting rid of the carbon tax, getting rid of the mining tax, getting rid of red and green tape, reintroducing the Australian Building and Construction Commission and all the other changes we have made, including trying to get the budget back into shape.

Turning to the specifics of workforce exclusion: that, of course, is a real blight, and I might say that, for young people, the figure you quoted of about 12½ per cent I think might be 13½. That is still too high, but in some areas like North Adelaide and my home state of Tasmania it is considerably higher. That is why the government is concerned with doing everything it possibly can to achieve young Australians getting into a job. Part of that includes an enhanced Work for the Dole scheme. It includes an enhanced scheme to assist young apprentices with getting through their apprenticeship. We know that, if young people are able to get through their apprenticeships—