Union anger over teacher redundancies at Hobart TAFE

The state government has confirmed some TAFE teachers have been offered voluntary redundancies as the teachers union says staff numbers were supposed to rise, not fall.

Australian Education Union Tasmanian Branch President David Genford speaks to the media on parliament Lawns in Hobart on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

The state government has confirmed some TAFE teachers have been offered voluntary redundancies as the teachers union says staff numbers were supposed to rise and not fall.

Minister for Skills and Training Felix Ellis said some staff at the Campbell Street campus had been offered redundancies or redeployment after flood damage caused automotive courses to be cut.

Australian Education Union state president David Genford said the government was using the disruption as an excuse to trim the budget.

“This government promised to invest in TasTAFE teachers, yet here we are fighting job cuts instead of seeing the 100 extra teachers we were told would be delivered. That’s worse than a broken promise, it’s an attack on education,” he said.

“TasTAFE are using last year’s flooding to gut automotive training in the south of Tasmania by sacking half the teachers and forcing apprentices to travel to Launceston.

“There are huge concerns about statewide impact on safety and quality. It simply can’t be allowed to go ahead. The Minister must step in and find a new home for automotive training in the south.”

Mr Genford said his members were concerned TAFE might be privatised in the govenrment’s asset sales push.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff and MP Tabatha Badger speak to the media on parliament Lawns in Hobart on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

In state parliament on Thursday, Green MP Tabatha Badger asked Mr Ellis if “TasTAFE is falling apart on your watch”.

“VET student numbers are down, the statutory 30 month TAFE review has not commenced, the Campbell St automotive department has been flooded, and you have not bothered to future-proof the industry with an alternative southern facility,” she said.

“Workplace morale is at an all-time low, with many on stress leave. We have heard directly about bullying complaints and allegations of unfair dismissal.

“In recent days, we have heard teachers will be made redundant. Yesterday, it was revealed the CEO has quit. What role have you had in all of this?

“Did you provide any direction or instruction to the TAFE CEO or board to reduce staff numbers? If so, what size reduction?

“What was the board and CEO’s response? Did clashes with you over this issue contribute to the CEO’s departure?”

Liberal MP Felix Ellis speaks to the media at parliament Square in Hobart on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Mr Ellis denied clashing with outgoing TasTAFE CEO Grant Dreher.

“The short answer is no. We have had a wonderful working relationship with the CEO of TasTAFE,” he said.

“In terms of the work that TasTAFE is doing with staff in the automotive space in the south, we are working through a process and the facility closure is a difficult one.

“I understand that voluntary redundancies have been an offer that has been made, but with other options available, including redeployment, for staff.

“I understand that TasTAFE will continue to work with staff in this difficult circumstance so that we can get the right outcome for staff and learners as part of it.”

Originally published as Union anger over teacher redundancies at Hobart TAFE