MEDIA RELEASE
NSW BUDGET HAMMERS TAFE STUDENTS
25 June, 2003 MIN 386/03
Yesterday the NSW Government announced an increase
in TAFE fees of up to 300%. The cost of a certificate IV
qualification increasing by 230% from $260 to $850 per annum, while
the cost of a graduate diploma will increase from $710 to $1,650.
The increases will affect at least 40% of NSW TAFE students - over
170,000 people.
When asked to explain the changes, the NSW Minister
for Education’s office said:
"…because wealthy students have been exploiting
cheap courses."
The Daily Telegraph, 25 June, 2003
In fact more than 26% of TAFE’s students come from
the poorest socio-economic status groups in the nation.
The NSW Government has contradicted its own policy
with this attack on training. The ALP says it is committed to:
"abolishing all fees in TAFE in mainstream
vocational courses."
NSW Labor Party Policy and Platform clause
5.2(a), Chapter 7, Education.
The attack on TAFE is also a direct contradiction of
statements made by NSW Labor’s last Minister for Education:
"We should not risk forcing a generation of TAFE
students into debt. We should be making it easier, not harder, for
young people to get an education."
Then NSW Education Minister John Watkins, Sydney
Morning Herald, 20 August 2002
The NSW Teachers Federation has joined in condemning
the NSW Government for the increase.
"The worst of these fee increases amounts to a more
than 300% increase. This Government decision makes a mockery of the
NSW Government promising not to put HECS on TAFE students."
Maree O’Halloran, President, NSW Teachers Federation, Media Release,
25 June 2003
Even the CFMEU has condemned Labor’s attack on
Apprentices:
"Those employers who do the right thing and
employ and train our youth should not be slugged with increased TAFE
enrolment fees. The end result will be less apprentices and a crisis
in terms of the supply of skilled labour…"
Andrew Ferguson, NSW State Secretary, CFMEU,
AAP, 25 June 2003
The Federal Labor Party however has said nothing
about these new charges for TAFE students, focusing instead on the
potential increases in HECS fees for those training to be doctors,
vets and lawyers in our Universities.
Media Contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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