Greater supports and investments in jobs, education and housing were the big takeaways from the recent Jobs and Skills Summit held in Canberra last week, states Dr Mike Freelander MP, the Federal Member for Macarthur.

This includes the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a $1 billion National Skills Agreement with States and Territories to improve workforce participation and skills reform. Specifically, the delivery of 465,000 additional fee-free TAFE places will enhance the opportunities for local individuals to receive or develop their skills, which Dr Freelander believes will greatly assist the growing need for trades and skills in our region.

Additionally, there will be an increase to the permanent Migration Program to help ease widespread, critical skills shortages, with visa processing to be accelerated to help resolve the backlog in visa applications.

Regarding housing, the Albanese Government has committed to investing $575 million in social and affordable housing, which will be done in partnership with other levels of government and social housing providers to ensure much needed housing is delivered sooner. Further to this, 4,000 new social housing properties will be delivered for those fleeing family and domestic violence, as well as for elderly women on low incomes who are at risk of being homeless.

This expands from the recent commitment by the Albanese Government to provide ten days of paid family and domestic violence leave into the National Employment Standards, which Dr Freelander proudly supported when introduced to Parliament in July this year.

Work continues to be made by the Federal Labor Government and Dr Freelander to deal with cost of living pressures and workforce shortages experienced by Macarthur locals. 

Quotes attributable to Dr Mike Freelander MP, Federal Member for Macarthur:

I welcome the pragmatic outcomes from the Jobs and Skills Summit, which was a wonderful display of unity from individuals, organisations, and businesses from all around our country.

It is imperative to have a united effort to resolve our jobs and skills issues, as well as the issues facing housing affordability and worker shortages.

I welcome the investment in TAFE as our local TAFE campuses will benefit from this, as will the students of today and tomorrow who wish to pursue a skill or a trade, which are vital to our economy. I also greatly welcome the investment in social and crisis housing as this is imperative to assist those individuals and families who greatly need these vital supports.