National regulator shuts down SA Best candidate’s training firm, clouding futures of 100 students

A STATE election candidate for former senator Nick Xenophon’s SA Best’s ran a training organisation that was shut down by national authorities, affecting about 100 students. TELL US BELOW: ARE YOU AFFECTED?

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A STATE election candidate for former senator Nick Xenophon’s SA Best party ran a training organisation – called Cream of the Crop – that was shut down by national authorities, throwing the futures of about 100 students into doubt.

Businessman Simon Jones has been endorsed by SA Best for the Glenelg-based seat of Morphett. It looms as one of the more complex races of the campaign as the Liberals seek to win the seat back from independent Duncan McFetridge, who defected after losing the Liberal preselection this year.

Simon Jones, Hazel Wainwright, and Nick Xenophon.

Federal records obtained by The Advertiser show Mr Jones’ firm had its registration cancelled in September of 2012. The Australian Skills Quality Authority, which this week released damning findings about TAFE SA, says the failings included training, assessment and facilities that did not meet required standards.

Mr Xenophon has this week been a vocal critic on the TAFE SA crisis, saying the State Government must compensate all affected students and deliver stronger oversight.

Mr Jones said many students withdrew for personal reasons before the cancellation and others had finished formal learning and started work placements at the time.

Mr Jones said the decision by ASQA was “heavy handed” and he was “staggered” by inconsistencies in its assessment of his training organisation.

Mr Xenophon stood by his candidate and said the situation was “very different” than that engulfing TAFE SA.

“This wasn’t about course accreditation, although there were administrative issues,” he said. “Simon has been open and upfront about this.

“He has nothing to hide.”

TELL US BELOW: ARE YOU AFFECTED?

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