It is ironic to consider that we have built our success as an economy on having a highly skilled and educated workforce, but now the Government is attacking the future source of a skilled labour force because it got the figures wrong in the last budget and increased spending at a higher level than possible. At the same time as increasing fees, the Government is attacking the areas where most investment should be placed. Young people are dropping out of school without completing their formal education and we are all aware of the social problems this has caused to certain sections of the community. It is important that we invest in the future of all, especially those who come from a background where extra help is needed. Otherwise, as experience shows, it leads to problems in other areas for the State. This cutback shows the extreme short-sightedness of the Government.