Federal budget to fast-track staff training

Hundreds of millions of dollars will also be pumped into getting people off welfare and into jobs as part of a “tough love” strategy, to be unveiled in Julia Gillard’s first Budget as Prime Minister next month.

Ms Gillard last night used a policy address to the Sydney Institute to set the scene for a Budget aimed at getting the long-term unemployed – and many on disability pensions – into work.

And in a considerable stiffening of language, Ms Gillard declared it was “not fair” for taxpayers to pay for someone who can support themselves.

The rhetoric will be backed by money, even as the Government makes cuts to programs across the board.

The Advertiser has learnt Treasurer Wayne Swan will announce new measures to help companies fast-track training for employees as part of a major effort to build skills.

The “enterprise-based training” scheme will be one of a number of measures unveiled as part of a Budget that will aim to boost workforce participation.

Ms Gillard signalled the Government would borrow from Tony Abbott’s policy jar as she called for higher “expectations” of people to make a contribution, in her own variation of John Howard’s mutual obligation agenda.

She said it was time to break “cradle to grave” welfare dependency.

“Our reforms are founded on high expectations that everyone who can work should work,” she said.

“I will fight the prejudice that says some people’s lot is drawing a fortnightly cheque, that we shouldn’t expect anything more of them and it doesn’t matter if they are forgotten by policy makers and the society around them.”

The PM said the unprecedented demand for skills – with some tradesmen commanding $420,000 for work in offshore oil rigs – meant a new approach was needed.

“In today’s economy, inclusion through participation must be our central focus,” she said.

“It’s not right to leave people on welfare and deny them access to opportunity. And every Australian should pull his or her own weight.”