Page 4685 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 7 December 1994
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The scheme allows apprentices to be placed for short periods of time with any number of appropriate employers. Businesses, especially very small businesses, benefit through being able to take on apprentices where they would not otherwise have the resources to do so.
The schemes operate according to a funding agreement drawn up between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories. Across Australia, there are about 102 group apprenticeship schemes, employing approximately 30,000 apprentices and trainees. These schemes assist about 40,000 small and medium sized businesses. In the ACT, there are currently two group training schemes funded by the Government. The ACT MBA group apprenticeship scheme employs 140 apprentices and is one of Australia's oldest schemes. This scheme receives support from both the ACT and Commonwealth governments. In particular, this body receives about $60,000 in base administrative funding from the ACT Government and a matching amount from the Federal Government. The bulk of the funds for apprenticeship wages is supplied by the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training.
While noting the importance of these schemes, I am concerned at the allegations raised. I have directed the Department of Education to refer the matter to the Australian Federal Police for investigation. I have also asked officers of my department to contact the appropriate Commonwealth bodies to determine the extent of the concerns and the appropriate form of administrative action to be taken.
Schools Authority Budget
MR CORNWELL: My question is to Mr Wood, as Minister for Education. I refer to the Auditor-General's report on financial audits with years ending to 30 June 1994, where it is noted that the Schools Authority in 1993-94 spent $2m over budget, achieved by running down current asset balances and increasing trade creditor liabilities. I ask the Minister: How did this blow-out occur, and what implications does the correction have for current asset balances and particularly for trade creditors?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, Mr Cornwell uses the sensational word "blow-out", but there has been no blow-out. I think it represents about one per cent of total budget. It is clearly indicative of the pressures in education as we continue to make savings. The money has been well covered. I point members to page 113 of that same report, which, in the second paragraph, indicates how the department is on track to ensure that it covers that cost in the current financial year.
MR CORNWELL: Madam Speaker, seeing that we are quoting pages, I would like to ask a supplementary question based on page 110 of the same report, where it says that the authority has advised - presumably, the Auditor-General - that its non-salary budget has been increased by $1m and that planned internal efficiencies and resource allocations will achieve an improvement of $2m. Could the Minister explain how this $2m will be achieved by internal efficiencies and resource allocations?
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