Labor asks government to rule out TAFE sell-off, government complies
Labor has appealed to the government not to sell off TasTAFE as part of the government’s privatisation push. The government’s reply has been swift.
Tasmania
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Labor has appealed to the government not to sell off TasTAFE as part of the government’s privatisation push.
The government has described the call as “Labor’s dumbest-ever scare campaign” and says TasTAFE is not being considered for sale.
Shadow Minister for TAFE, Skills and Training Anita Dow on Monday called on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to “keep his hands off TAFE as part of his fire-sale of state owned businesses to prop up his busted budget”.
“Tasmania is facing a skills shortage, and selling off TAFE would only make it worse, with less courses and higher fees for students.
“In sectors like childcare – which is begging for more qualified workers – TAFE is critically important to addressing employment challenges.
“The Liberals have already tried to take TAFE down a path of privatisation through an unlawful reform process in 2021.
“That process saw them forced into promising that TAFE would remain in public hands.”
Labor asked the government whether TasTAFE was for sale last week, and was told ‘no’.
MLC Sarah Lovell asked during Question Time “Is TAFE on the chopping block? Is that for sale? We have not heard.”
Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council Leonie Hiscutt replied “I have indication that it is not”.
Minister for Skills and Training, Felix Ellis on Monday repeated the message.
“Is this Labor’s dumbest-ever scare campaign? TasTAFE is not a GBE and won’t be privatised.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced during his state of the state address in early March that the government was considering selling one or more government business enterprises to help rein in spirally debts.
He mentioned public transport operator Metro Tasmania and electricity distribution business TasNetworks, and the state’s Land Titles office as possibilities but ruled out selling Hydro Tasmania. TasTAFE was not mentioned.
The Liberals corporatised TasTAFE in 2022, turning it into an independent government-owned business.
Ms Dow said the process had been poor.
“At the time they also said that no worker would be worse off, and that there would be no forced redundancies – promises which have both now been broken,” she said.
“They also promised to employ 100 new TAFE teachers which Tasmanians are still waiting for.
“How can we trust that Premier Rockliff will keep his word and not privatise TAFE? Premier Rockliff needs to rule out selling off TAFE.”
Originally published as Labor asks government to rule out TAFE sell-off, government complies
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