‘Turbocharging money’ put towards two new training centres in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek

‘Turbocharging money’ is going towards two new training centres in the Territory’s heartland as part of a ‘year of action’ – but one key question remains unanswered. Find out more.

Two new training centres are coming to the Territory, according to a federal Labor minister, who doesn’t know when they’re opening, but says his government’s put in “turbocharging money” to make it happen.

On Tuesday, federal minister for training and skills Andrew Giles met with his Labor Territory counterparts to make the announcement at the Alice Springs Charles Darwin University (CDU) campus.

Both Alice Springs and Tennant Creek will get a regional and remote essential care centre of excellence, he said, with the Albanese government committing an extra $5.3 million of “turbocharging money” to get the centre up and running.

Federal skills and training minister Andrew Giles, federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy, and Labor Lingiari MHR Marion Scrymgour. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The federal and Territory governments had already committed $20.1m to the project, which will “enable more people in remote communities to access skills in birthing, in mental health, in aged care, in other aspects of the care industry in ways that are appropriate for them,” Mr Giles said.

Mr Giles did not have an exact date for when the new training centres will open when asked, but said it was “moving quickly” and “we’re ready to roll”.

The new training centres will be delivered in partnership with CDU and the Batchelor Institute for Tertiary Education.

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education deputy chief executive David Cusack talks with federal skills and training minister Andrew Giles. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Batchelor academic deputy chief executive David Cusack said “this is a fantastic investment” in Aboriginal health and education.

“We know that our health workers and such, that are working out in those remote communities are for me, the most important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to looking after our people,” he said.

CDU pro-vice chancellor and TAFE chief executive Mike Hamilton said the centre will be the “national leader in essential care services across remote areas” and “assist in building workforce development for embedded remote health workers”.

Charles Darwin University pro-vice chancellor and TAFE chief executive Mike Hamilton. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Joining Mr Giles was Labor Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour and NT Senator and federal minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy, who said the free TAFE was important to building skills in communities.

“We know that over 30,000 are First Nations people across Australia who’ve taken up the fee free TAFE,” Ms McCarthy said, before taking a swipe at the opposition party.

Territory education and training minister Jo Hersey said the new training centres show the CLP delivering on their promise of 2025 being “a year action”.

Her local health counterpart Steve Edgington said the new training centres will help upskill the Barkly, his electorate.

Originally published as ‘Turbocharging money’ put towards two new training centres in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek