beazley's apprentice incentitives inadequate

Beazley's incentives for apprentices, TAFE fee reimbursement and payments for success are a huge improvement over the neglect of this area by the Libs.

However, since virtually all of the current front benchers of either party are University educated with no work history, often going straight into political research internships then political careers of their own, none understand the psychology of young apprentices.

A major issue is the very poor earnings of apprentices, who must pay tax on their paltry earnings at an age when most of these more privileged university types are not contributing a cent.

Apprentices have needs and aspirations to buy cars, utes and equipment like anyone else. Seeing their friends and girlfriends continually drive off in cars they cannot yet afford must p##s them off greatly.

Total remission of all taxes annually from job related earnings for successful apprentices ( up to say $27,500 pa ) is needed to put them on the same footing as the more privileged university types and encourage completion of trade qualifications.

The loss of taxation from their poor wages would be a pittance compared to the funds thrown at university entrants.