Daniel McCullochVerified account

Labor's Murray Watt asks whether 140,000 Australian apprenticeships have been lost under the Turnbull government. Senator Birmingham confirms there has been a drop in apprentices entering training, but blames it on the Gillard government. #SenateQT

Watt shifts to Pauline Hanson's deal for 1000 new apprenticeships in exchange for One Nation support for company tax cuts. "Was Senator Hanson made aware the pilot program funding a measly 1000 apprenticeships represents 0.7% of the 140,000 Australian apprenticeships lost?"

"Although Senator Watt continues to pursue a hypothetical line of questioning, I will say that many on the crossbench engaged constructively on this," Senator Birmingham says. "Many want to explore policy ideas to rebuild vocational education from the failures of those opposite."

Greens Senator Janet Rice asks government to rule out logging in national parks under renegotiated of regional forest agreements. Response: "The Australian government supports a strong forestry industry in this country, and we support sustainable use of our forestry resources."

Labor Senator Deborah O'Neill asks Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, representing the social services minister, how it is fair to make Australians work until they are 70 while giving tax cuts to big businesses. #auspol #SenateQT

"Australia's population is ageing, and the government has had to make some tough decisions to ensure the aged pension remains sustainable and supports those most in need," Senator Fierravanti-Wells says. #auspol #SenateQT

Senator O'Neill asks how it is fair to cut the energy supplement to pensioners. "We repealed the carbon tax, so we repeal the compensation that went with it," Senator Fierravanti-Wells says.

Labor Senator Lisa Singh asks the finance minister how it's fair to hit ordinary workers with higher taxes while giving big businesses a tax cut. "We are pursuing reforms of business tax arrangements because we care about working families around Australia," Senator Cormann says.