Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne floats TasTAFE boat claims in Budget estimates hearings

THREE wooden boats owned by former TasTAFE chief executive Stephen Conway were repaired or maintained by TasTAFE students, Labor has alleged.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff answering questions today in the Long Room at Parliament House in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

THREE wooden boats owned by former TasTAFE chief executive Stephen Conway were repaired or maintained by TasTAFE students, Labor has alleged.

Labor education spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne asked Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff in a Budget Estimates hearing whether he could confirm three boats owned by Mr Conway were worked on by students — and whether the projects had cost taxpayers.

Ms O’Byrne also asked Mr Rockliff if a children’s pedal car owned by Mr Conway was worked on at the Devonport campus, and whether a trailer used to transport Mr Conway’s boats was repaired at TasTAFE.

Mr Conway resigned from his position as TasTAFE chief executive last month, a day before an Integrity Commission report detailing claims of nepotism leading to exorbitant pay rises, bonuses and perks for select executives was tabled in State Parliament.

The report found the misuse of Tasmanian Government cards was widespread among the agency’s executive.

MORE: SHOCK FINDINGS FROM TASTAFE PROBE

Mr Rockliff said a special investigation and independent audit into the agency “would leave no stone unturned”.

He said any allegations that came across his desk would be investigated, but he could not comment on allegations raised by Ms O’Byrne because they were unsubstantiated.

He said similar issues had been raised with him recently in correspondence from members of the TAFE system and all would be investigated.

Ms O’Byrne continued her line of questioning on TasTAFE in the afternoon session after TasTAFE acting chief executive Mark Sayer joined the hearing.

Mr Sayer said TasTAFE staff had been spoken to about work on projects, such as the ones raised by Ms O’Byrne, ceasing immediately “which it has”.

Mr Sayer told the room he believed “we all need to be really careful” about using the media in relation to TasTAFE.

“One of the greatest concerns staff have at the moment is that they are feeling the impact of the behaviour of the very few,” he said.

“That negative impact can undermine morale.

“When they read articles in the paper about an organisation that is toxic or broken they feel it.”

Mr Sayer said the audit investigation was expected to take 12 months, but progress reports would be released at least quarterly.

Mr Rockliff confirmed the Government would tender for an independent auditor.

He has previously said there was no suggestion that matters raised by the Integrity Commission report were criminal.

Mr Rockliff also released figures showing TasTAFE apprentice and trainee enrolments had grown by 5.6 per cent in the past year.