Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Education and Training) (14:49): I have a belief that the downturn in apprenticeship numbers that has been underway since the Labor government made changes to apprenticeship incentive arrangements way back in the final year or two of their term in office is a concern, and this government's view was that we needed to start looking at what things we can do and what action we can take to try to recover numbers in apprenticeships. We have budgeted some funding and are funding five pilots to the tune of $9.2 million under the apprenticeship training alternative delivery model. Those pilots— The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock. Senator Cameron, a point of order. Senator Cameron: This is on relevance. The exact question I asked, and the only question I asked, was: why were these funded outside of the competitive tendering process? That is the nub of the question. The PRESIDENT: I will remind the minister of the question. Senator BIRMINGHAM: The pilots that are being funded under this program were identified during the consultation process that the apprenticeship advisory group undertook. They were identified as being pilots that are of value, that are innovative in the delivery model and that we hope will help to inform better pathways in the future to strengthen numbers in Australian apprenticeships. The PRESIDENT: Senator Cameron, a final supplementary question.