Each day’s questions will be sent directly to the candidates with an invitation to respond by 1pm the day prior to publication of their answers. 

For today’s question, we asked candidates: Do you support the privatisation of vocational education and training, including TAFE?

WOLLONGONG

Noreen Hay MP, Labor

Baird has ripped the heart out of the TAFE system in NSW. Since coming to Government in 2011, Baird has cut $1.7 billion from education and training, sacked 1100 TAFE teachers and support staff, cut TAFE courses and slashed class contact times, drastically increased student fees by thousands of dollars. Baird’s so-called reforms to education involved cuts to TAFE while providing increased state funding to private providers. These reforms have failed in other states. Wollongong has a youth unemployment problem and an urgent need to re-skill people. Education provides both younger and older people with the best chance in life and we need to keep it accessible. A Labor Government will abolish the Liberal’s privatisation of TAFE; reverse the Baird Government’s TAFE fee hikes; guarantee funding to TAFE by capping the amount of public funds that can be contestable by private operation; and commission a landmark review of education and training in NSW after Year 10.

Dr Clarrie Pratt, Christian Democrat Party

Vocational training is a vital service in our community. We support Vocational Education because it is a crucial key to community success. Not only does Vocational Education empower the individual, but it enhances community sustainability. This has a domino effect in enhancing the success of the community. A person’s economic background should not govern the choices they have in education options. We support multiplying the opportunity of individual choice in furthering education. To stifle a person’s educational options is to stifle his or her future. TAFE is a salient example of an institution providing individuals with the opportunity to advance their education, so increasing the possibilities of employment. Hence, we support the ongoing role of TAFE in being a key provider in this process, regardless of any student’s financial circumstances.

Phil Latz, Australian Cyclists Party

The Australian Cyclists Party does not have an official policy statement regarding this issue. Personally, I do not support the privatisation of TAFE or other currently run educational services. There will always be a place and a need for private education providers, as has been the case in our school system for centuries, but existing government funded institutions should be left in public ownership. Most importantly, they should also be well funded. Investing in education is investing in our future generations and ensuring the long term viability of not only the Wollongong electorate but our nation as a whole.

Cameron Walters, Liberal

Labor needs to stop their deceit on this issue – we are not privatising TAFE and have no plans to. In fact, the Mike Baird Liberal Team and I support a strong and resilient TAFE NSW as the backbone of the State’s training system. I’m a proud supporter of the Wollongong Campus and if elected, will continue to advocate the important role they play training our students for the jobs of tomorrow. There are five stage one plumbing apprentice groups enrolled at the Wollongong Campus - this is an increase up from three groups in previous years. Carpentry has eight stage one apprentice groups up from four groups in previous years - the strongest enrolment in the past 10 years. Certificate IV in Building and Construction has received nearly double the applications - an increase in applications is primarily due to streamlining the delivery model and actively competing against private RTOs.

Mitchell Bresser, Greens

I believe that TAFE should remain government controlled and be the primary provider of VET. The Greens want to strengthen TAFE, end the lies of Smart and Skilled, make TAFE free and increase its funding well above what Labor is offering.TAFE provides a quality of education that private educators cannot meet. TAFE provides services for all students, those with learning difficulties and students with disabilities. Both Liberals and Labor are no friends of TAFE. During the last ALP Government, TAFE’s funding was continuously lowered over a decade. The Liberals are privatising TAFE, creating the same situation of Victoria, where only 26% o VET students attend TAFE. When the Liberal say funding has increased they are including up front student fees in their figures, which they have increased in their term. The Greens will spend $4.5 Billion on schools and TAFEs and increase TAFE funding to 1998 levels.

Arthur Rorris, Independent

The sabotage of the TAFE system in NSW has seen courses that were once free now cost thousands of dollars. This affects students who can not afford to complete courses and others will simply not bother to enrol. All this at a time when employers are crying out about the shortage of skilled labour. Private providers have been introduced offering education for profit leading to shoddy courses and unscrupulous enrolment activities leaving hundreds of kids in our region with large debts and no qualifications. The Labor party shamefully supported the growth of this private system bringing misery and nightmares to young people. As the member for Wollongong I will (i) continue to expose the rip-offs where and when they happen and demand that the department of education close down shoddy providers, (ii) vote to eliminate fees for all TAFE courses, and (iii) demand that the TAFE system is funded to pre-privatisation levels and supplemented to the cumulative value of tuition fees to restore axed courses and give students free access.

No Land Tax Party’s Noreen Colonelli did not respond by the Mercury’s deadline.

KEIRA

Elena Martinez, Greens

The Greens do not support the privatisation of vocational education and training. Ideally we would like well-funded TAFEs which don’t charge fees so that they are affordable to all. The NSW State Government’s system for vocational education and training, ironically named Smart and Skilled, took effect on 1st January this year. In accordance with coalition ideology, the aim was to create a pure market-based demand-driven system. This has opened up contestable funding to for-profit training providers, and forced TAFEs to compete in a competitive market. Every dollar of public subsidy to for-profit providers results in about 30 cents of profit for distribution to the company’s shareholders. Some for-profit training providers have questionable recruiting methods, like spruiking in shopping centres and offering free iPads to entice students to enrol. The courses are often online as this is cheap to provide, and profit rules. Do we want TAFEs to become like this?

Philip Clifford, Liberal

The Mike Baird Liberal Team is not privatising TAFE. The 2014/15 NSW Budget provides $2.3 billion for vocational education - 11 per cent higher than the budget for 2010-11 under Labor - including $1.86 billion for TAFE NSW. I know the benefit that education and training has for our young people and I will never diminish the importance of TAFE in delivering these opportunities to students in Keira. Unlike Labor, I believe in our TAFE system. Far from going backwards, TAFE continues to perform strongly because it is a high quality training provider. TAFE NSW has been competing very successfully in the training market for 20 years and, following the Smart and Skilled provider application process, it remains the dominant provider of vocational education and training in NSW. If elected, I will always support good training opportunities for students in Keira that lead to real jobs in our region.

Ryan Park MP, Labor

Over the past four years TAFE has been gradually decimated by the Liberal Government. The facts are simple. 1100 teachers have been sacked, courses have been slashed and fees have skyrocketed. All of this at a time when we have 250,000 people out of work across NSW and higher than average unemployment here in the Illawarra, especially amongst young people. Since my appointment as Shadow Minister for Education I have worked hard to develop a strong Labor policy to ensure TAFE can be protected and enhanced from further cuts. Under a Labor Government our positive plan for TAFE is simple. We will: 1.Cap TAFE fees at 2014 levels to stop the massive fee increases preventing people from accessing education. 2. Cap the amount of funds available to the private sector, the first Opposition or Government to do so in Australia. 3. Inject an initial $100 million extra into TAFE to reduce course fees and re-establish courses that have been cut. 4.Scrap the Liberal Government’s policy that is hurting the educational opportunities of local residents. 4.Conduct a review of post Year 10 school education pathways to ensure we are meeting the needs of industry in the preparation of young people for future careers. The Illawarra more than most relies on a strong, high quality TAFE system that is accessible and affordable as we go through a transition in our economy and labour market. Labor is the only Party capable of delivering a strong TAFE system in Government and reverse four years of cuts and fee increases by this out of touch Liberal Government

Joseph Carolan, CDP

The Christian Democratic Party supports affordable education and training for young people. It is vitally important that youth unemployment is addressed in this region. Affordable education is one part of the solution to this problem while creating real opportunities in small to medium business is also necessary.

No Land Party’s Jason Leto did not respond by the Mercury’s deadline.

KIAMA

Gareth Ward MP, Liberal

The Baird Government is creating more than 60,000 extra student places in 2015 and focusing on entry level training so more people can gain skills to get a job. In 2014-15, the Baird Government is spending $2.3 billion on TAFE and vocation education & training. We are spending 11% more than Labor did. Don’t be misled on the facts by unions hell-bent on seeing Labor returned to power at any cost. Our Reskilling NSW plan provides $48 million for fee-free scholarships for 200,000 concession-eligible 15-30 year olds to undertake government-subsidised vocational education and training certificate courses, with priority given to concession eligible social housing residents; $27 million for workplace learning for over 40,000 government school students each year who enrol in a vocational education and training course as part of their HSC; and $8 million to provide viable pathways into education, training and employment for young people in regional areas.

Glenn Kolemeitz, Labor

The Liberals have destroyed TAFE and vocational training in NSW. Throughout our electorate, people tell me TAFE horror stories.  Students say fees have increased hugely, making study unaffordable.  Employers tell me teaching hours have been cut so apprentices aren’t getting the skills they need.  Apprentices now have to find employment before beginning TAFE, without any pre-vocational skills.  And TAFE teachers despair at a new computer system that has left many students unable to enrol in studies this year. Labor will spend $100 million to re-build TAFE.  We will cap fees at 2014 levels, and ensure that only 30% of TAFE & vocational funding is available to private providers. We believe private providers have a role to play in vocational education and training, and value the contribution of high-quality providers.  But we won’t  allow TAFE to be destroyed by private companies whose only focus is making profits for their owners.

No Land Tax Party’s Carmel Pellegrini, CDP’s Steve Ryan & the Green’s Terry Barratt did not respond by the Mercury’s deadline.

HEATHCOTE

Greg Petty, Independent

As elected representatives, we should represent the opinions and values of our voters. I asked a current TAFE teacher his position on the privatisation of vocational education and training, including TAFE. If all politicians require an expanding economy in the 21st century, we as a nation must be willing to increase productivity and this can only be achieved by having a highly skilled and trained workforce.  By raising TAFE fees and privatising training (the latter only work on profits not training) will only increase pressure on the unemployment queues. It seems that all governments state or federal are hell bent on wiping their hands of TAFE as too expensive and ineffective. I believe, that in of the interest of the country, we must invest in the nation’s future and raising fees, abolishing courses and offering inadequate training in the `Smart and Skilled’ model is not the way forward. My answer is no.

Natasha Watson, Greens

Definitely no to cutting TAFE or increasing fees. The government’s priority should be to ensure TAFE and universities remain focused on providing exceptional and affordable higher education to as many people as possible, and not profit.   The fees are no long affordable for many, whether young new trainees, those wishing to upskill or train for a new industry.  If this continues, we will see a far higher unemployment figure for the Illawarra, coupled with a skills shortage. Quality affordable training for trades and skills is essential to the future prosperity of our region. Plus the no-front fees touted by the ‘train now, pay later’ brigade may at first seem an attractive deal to our young school leavers, but given the high course costs, the 20% loading and the compound CPI interest, our young will be entering into a debt for decades,  for career choice they may not even pursue. 

Labor’s Maryanne Stuart, Lee Evans Liberal MP, No Land Tax Party’s Ahmed Elawaad and CDP’s Ula Falanga did not respond by the Mercury’s deadline.

SHELLHARBOUR

Anna Watson MP, Labor

Labor has always believed in vocational education and training.  TAFE is a magnificent learning institution. It provides the means for lifelong learning and training, and in many cases, a second chance to school-leavers and others who missed out on an education. It’s hard to believe that the Liberals would endanger this opportunity by privatising the TAFE system in NSW. I’m particularly concerned for the future of the Dapto TAFE campus.  Once a bustling campus, it now resembles a ghost-town.  Drained for services, and empty of students and staff. Over the last four years the Liberals have sneakily strangled Dapto TAFE campus.  In 2010, there were close to 700 students there.  Now, there are none.  And, no classes.  In 2010, there were 111 staff.  That number was slashed to just 86 last year. I fear that the Liberals will close down Dapto TAFE and sell-off the site if they win on Saturday. It is simply inconceivable that in a growing population area like Dapto and West Dapto, the Liberals would seek to shut down training and education opportunities in this area. Labor will keep the Dapto TAFE open and re-invest in the campus.

Romeo Cecchele, Independent

I strongly oppose the privatisation of TAFE and of vocational education and training! The NSW Liberal Party being made up of parliamentarians that are too incompetent to read history. If they would have done their homework, they would have found that it is the same failed model that Howard forced in 13 years ago. Howard paid many billions to his business mates to start up tertiary vocational centres from scratch around Australia with most failing in 3-4 years of operation including the one at Coniston which left 70 students with no qualifications half way through their courses! As these incompetent Baird Liberals have not learnt from Howards mistakes they are about to sink billions of taxpayer dollars into the pockets of their big business mates to have another go at destroying TAFE in NSW which has been the best run tertiary vocational education facility in the country! Without any mandate from the people of NSW they have put up the fees of advanced diplomas and advanced certificates by 300% which has seen a big drop off in students in 2015 and caused scores of permanent and casual teachers being made redundant in NSW already.

Wayne Quinn, Independent

I will never support the privatisation of vocational education and training including TAFE as this will ultimately destroy this great educational facility. Over the last 30 years there have been many increases in student costs as government policies have stripped TAFE of their funding and total privatisation is the last step in the total destruction of these educational facilities. People will also be priced out of gaining qualifications and this is at a time when we are experiencing high unemployment and a massive skills shortage (especially trades). At the same time there would be reduced quality teaching as education would be price based and not quality based. Privatisation would introduce a lower-cost of private educational providers and downgrade the skills to ensure the lowest costs are maintained. Once these educational facilities are privatised, there is little doubt that the next facilities to be decimated by government will be schools, hospitals, transport and government facilities.

Mark Jones, Liberal

The Mike Baird Liberal Team has no plans to privatise TAFE. We’re creating more than 60,000 extra student places in 2015 than would have been the case without our Smart and Skilled reforms. We’re also offering 200,000 fee free places for students from a disadvantaged backgrounds. Vocational education is all about providing students with the skills required to help them get them a job. Wollongong, Shellharbour and Nowra have seen a strong take up of training in Health Services and Community Services courses. Unions NSW and Labor have been spreading deliberate lies and undermining TAFE. I’m a strong supporter of TAFE and a pathway to a real job is something that I’ll always support and encourage.

Peter Moran, Greens

The greatest benefit to the community comes from having free, accessible Vocational Education and Training and TAFE facilities. Every $1 spent on higher education returns $6 in benefits later on. TAFE should not have to compete with low cost, low standard providers for its budget. The Greens are the only party which has a fully funded vision for the future of a free TAFE

No Land Tax Party’s Hugo Morvillo and CDP’s John Kadwell did not respond by the Mercury’s deadline.