Media Releases
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2025
April
The Australian Education Union today slammed the announcement of a Coalition plan to spend hundreds of millions on a small number of technical colleges at the same time as slashing funding for TAFE.
Another senior Liberal member has today confirmed that Free TAFE would end under a Dutton Government.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has condemned Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson plans to abolish Free TAFE, a program that has provided vocational education opportunities to hundreds of thousands of Australians.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has today declared his hand on public education, saying school funding isn't an issue in his address to the Liberal Party 2025 Campaign Launch.
The Australian Education Union (AEU), National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), and Independent Education Union (IEU) have joined together against Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s claims of indoctrination in education and his attacks on the teaching profession.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) said today that Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s proposed cuts to the Education Department were the tip of the iceberg regarding his plans for public education.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) is calling on the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton to immediately come clean on his plans for cuts to public education.
March
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has today welcomed the passing of the Free TAFE Bill (2024), which will be life changing for TAFE students, teachers and for sectors of the economy facing skill shortages.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has today joined with 31 organisations to write to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, urging him to support the public school funding agreements recently announced by the Albanese Government.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to public education in the 2025 Federal Budget, which will see significant investment in public education across Australia.
Public schools across Australia are on the way to full funding after a landmark agreement was reached today between the Commonwealth and the QLD Government.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has today released a report about the Albanese Government’s Free TAFE program, confirming the significant benefits of the initiative and highlighting the risk that a Dutton Government poses to the Australia economy, TAFE teachers, and students.
On International Women's Day, the Australia Education Union acknowledges the dedication of all the women who work in public education and reaffirms the union’s commitment to fight for equality for women.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton needs to come clean on public school funding after further questions about the Coalition’s policy were raised today. Yesterday Mr Dutton said that the Coalition backed the agreement on public school funding signed by the Minns and Albanese Governments. However today his Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume said on Sky News that it was not confirmed that the deal would be upheld by a Coalition Government, saying “that policy is not one that I've seen, it's not one that we've considered”.
February
The Australian Education Union (AEU) is calling on the parliament to support the Free TAFE Bill 2024, after a Senate inquiry has found it should be passed. The AEU welcomes the Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s report into the Free TAFE Bill 2024, which recommended that the Senate pass this crucial legislation.
New official data shows that inequitable school funding is leaving public schools behind and highlights the importance of bipartisan support of full funding for public schools.
More of Australia’s youngest learners will get access to early education with the passing of the Albanese Government’s Three Day Guarantee of early childhood education and care.
The release of the Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2025 (ROGS) highlights the growing disparity in government funding between public and private schools.
The Australian Education Union has welcomed the passing of the Free TAFE Bill 2024, and now urges the Senate to pass the Bill promptly.
January
In a clear indication of a future Dutton Government’s plans to cut TAFE funding, the Federal Opposition has asked the South Australian Government if it would continue free TAFE if the Commonwealth reduced its funding.
Prime Minister Albanese has today delivered an historic commitment for full funding of Australia’s public schools.
The Australian Education Union has welcomed the Albanese Government’s permanent fee free TAFE legislation as a historic shift that benefits TAFE students, teachers, and the broader Australian economy.
2024
December
The Albanese Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) is a missed opportunity to strengthen the economy by properly investing in public schools.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) has today welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that a re-elected Albanese Government would deliver three days of subsidised early education, describing it as a major step forward in ensuring all Australian children receive the best possible start in life.
The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) results have once again highlighted the growing inequalities within Australia’s education system, and the need for full funding of public schools.