COALITION CONFIRMS DESTRUCTIVE PLAN TO END FREE TAFE

Another senior Liberal member has today confirmed that Free TAFE would end under a Dutton Government.

On ABC News Breakfast today, Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume said “We don't believe that fee-free TAFE is delivering on its promise...why would you continue it?”

And Opposition Deputy Leader Sussan Ley announced that, if elected, instead of providing apprentices with Free TAFE, the Coalition would give bosses money to put on apprentices, and “prioritise construction workers in the migration program”, contradicting their plans to cut immigration.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the Coalition plans put hundreds of thousands of students, and the TAFE system as a whole, at risk.

“Free TAFE changes lives. The Coalition’s plan would destroy that chance for so many,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“It can’t be forgotten that when last in power, the Coalition gutted TAFE, with campus and course closures, job losses, and escalating debts for students. We are finally seeing that being turned around with the historic investment of the Albanese government and state and territory governments, but that is all at risk.”

“Free TAFE has been transformative for students, teachers, and the TAFE sector. We’ve seen 600,000 students enrolling since its introduction, particularly in areas of extreme skill shortage, many of whom would not have been able to afford to access vocational education.”

“The Coalition’s plans aren’t just an attack on TAFE, they are an attack on equity, and opportunity, and on the workforce of the future.”

“Today’s comments by Jane Hume show that the Coalition is out of touch with the needs of working Australians and the economy.”

The AEU is calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to protecting Free TAFE, and to ensure that TAFE is at the centre of the vocational education system.

“We need political leaders who will back public education, not cut it to the bone,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“In the middle of a skills crisis, TAFE is the most cost-effective way for governments to deliver the vocational skills our country needs. Abolishing Free TAFE is a direct threat to Australia’s economic future, will lead to further skill shortages, and deny opportunity to hundreds of thousands of Australians.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kylie Jensen – 0402 298 728