Capricornia Federal Election campaign kicks off with CQUniversity announcement

ROLLING ELECTION CAMPAIGN COVERAGE: Labor candidate Russell Robertson launches his election campaign, with thousands of new free TAFE spots announced. Stay up to date with the latest election coverage here.

A Federal Election is just around the corner with the race for the seat of Capricornia officially off and running.

Check back here for regular updates on election commitments and announcements from the candidates for Capricornia in the lead up to this year’s Federal Election.

Labor candidate Russell Robertson officially launches campaign

The election race is well and truly underway in the seat of Capricornia with Labor candidate Russell Robertson officially launching his campaign in Rockhampton.

Joined by Opposition spokeswoman for Education Tanya Plibersek and CQUniversity Vice Chancellor Nick Klomp, Mr Robertson’s campaign launch coincided with an announcement by Labor of 465,000 free TAFE places across the country should the Labor Party be elected.

Prof Klomp said CQUniversity stood for supporting the regions and welcomed the commitment from the Labor Party.

“The best way we can support regions is to provide that workforce, so we have to make sure we’re producing, not just graduates that are good enough for jobs now, we have to be looking over the horizon and think about graduates in the future,” he said.

“CQUniversity will work with anyone that’s committed to the regions, that’s what’s important, that’s our mission.”

Prof Klomp said moving the southside campus to the northside of town was also on the agenda for the future.

“It’s probably more a state thing, but I am having those discussions, because we need to make sure we have the latest equipment and facilities and we’ve got to do it in a way that’s efficient,” he said.

“Over time we’re working with the State Government, but also anyone who will listen to us including federally, that the most efficient thing to do is to upgrade our facilities here and have them in one location so we can have that seamless delivery for the community.”

Mr Robertson said if elected, he would try and get as many as the free positions for Rockhampton as he could.

“These are important factors and things which the Labor Party supports and that grows local families,” he said.

“We’ve seen with the opportunity for 465,000 new free TAFE roles, this is what’s going to give Australian families the edge as we move forward in the modern economy.”

As well as the new TAFE positions, Mr Robertson also outlined some of the other things he would be campaigning for including same job, same pay and more health care for the region.

Ms Plibersek said employers around the country were “crying out for skilled staff”.

“What we need is a Labor Government that’s prepared to invest in education, prepared to offer 465,000 free TAFE places, prepared to offer 20,000 extra University places and make sure that young people, and people retraining in the middle of their careers, have the opportunity to get the education and training for the job of their dreams,” she said.