Amy: 
Minister, there are people in my electorate on bridging visas who cannot get the skills they need to work because they are not eligible for subsidised vocational education and training courses like many other visa holders are. Has the department done any analysis with respect to the cost of providing access to subsidised TAFE courses for bridging visa holders to bring Queensland into line with other states?


Minister for Training and Skills Development:
I thank the member for her question, and the issue of visas in general is certainly one which looms large in discussions. It was discussed at some length at the workforce summit and it is certainly an issue which is being discussed across the nation, particularly in readiness for the federal government’s Jobs and Skills Summit. I can say to the member that there are a range of issues around skilled migration that we see and we will certainly be flagging some of those issues when we release our Queensland workforce strategy, and I have had a number of conversations with the federal minister about a range of workforce issues. In particular response to the member’s question, the director-general has just handed me something which may also give me some information in general about skilled migrants. On that particular issue I may get him to answer that one, but I can say to you the many facets around visas and skilled migration in general are an issue that we are looking at quite closely. Would you mind if I hand over to the director-general if there is anything in particular we can add?


Amy:
Yes. However, I might just clarify that I am specifically talking about people who are seeking asylum or have been seeking asylum and are now on bridging visas, so not skilled migration per se but people who have, say, come out of detention and are now on bridging visas.


Minister for Training and Skills Development:
Yes. Sorry, what I mean to say in responding to the member is across the whole spectrum of visas and migration, whether skilled or unskilled, there are so many different categories, so it is an important question. Mr Agnew: I thank the minister for the referral and thank the member for the question. In terms of our VET programs, I am advised that we do subsidise students who reside in Queensland and have work right visas. We have a very supportive approach to undertaking that, but whether that applies specifically to the bridging visas is something that we need to take under advisement.


Amy:
No, it does not. Okay; thank you.


Minister for Training and Skills Development:
If I could just add we would be very happy, once we have released the workforce strategy, to offer a briefing to the member about sort of general but related issues.


Amy:
Thanks.