Media Coverage of TAFE Cuts, 14-31 July 2012
http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/mail/ranges-trader/353/story/152958.html
Rally for Swinburne
18th July 2012 10:26:07 AM
AN ESTIMATED 180 people rallied at Swinburne University in Lilydale on Monday, calling on the State Government and Swinburne University to keep tertiary education alive in the outer east.
Speakers included president of the Swinburne Student Union Mark Briers, Yarra Ranges Deputy Mayor Cr Jeanette McRae and Australian Education Union President Mary Bluett.
TAFE troubles puts Victoria’s tourism competitiveness at risk
Brian King, Professor of Tourism at Victoria University, 20 July 2012, 2.16pm AEST
Tourism and hospitality course closures have featured prominently in the recent announcements about redundancies flowing from the estimated $200 million of Victorian TAFE funding cuts.
While the causes are complex, their severity and suddenness impacts on regional tourism. The prospect of reduced training and learning capacity outside Melbourne coincides with a challenging time for regional southeast Australia as it is by-passed by the mining boom and struggles for viability.
Farmers body hits out at cuts to TAFE
by: Andrew Trounson, July 14, 2012 12:00AM
THE Victorian Farmers Federation has attacked the Baillieu government's TAFE cuts, warning that they will increase skill shortages and the reliance on temporary foreign workers.
VFF president Peter Tuohey complained the policy was driven by Treasury, and the Nationals had struggled within the Liberal-led Coalition to shape policy.
http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/state/opinion/comment/need-for-more-fight/2613741.aspx
Need for more fight
COMMENT BY GREGOR HEARD, 14 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
RURAL Victoria needs the National Party to better stand up for its needs.
The Nationals play a delicate balancing act, weighing up being part of a Coalition and having the opportunity to be a working part of Government versus the desire to best represent their constituents.
We understand the need for pragmatism, there is little point being on the outside looking in the whole time, but equally, we are seeing eerie parallels between the Bailleau Government and that of Jeff Kennett, who did untold damage to rural Victoria during his time in power.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/operators-to-tackle-concerns/story-fn7j19iv-1226426608737
Operators to tackle concerns
by: Neil Wilson, July 16, 2012 12:00AM
A WORRIED state tourism industry has convened a summit over the impact of Baillieu Government cuts to TAFE training courses as operators report declining profitability in recent months.
The cuts to the leisure, hospitality, recreation and tourism courses come as almost a third of tourism operators were also hit by rising wage costs in the second half of the year, according to a new survey.
No applause for Swinburne's curtain call
Benjamin Preiss, July 16, 2012
IT HAS been an education centre for more than 150 years, producing students who have taken on prominent roles in theatre and the creative arts. But the final curtain is drawing near.
Swinburne University is planning to leave the Prahran campus that includes the David Williamson Theatre, rehearsal rooms, television production equipment and a training restaurant.
Courses such as the popular diploma of theatre arts face an uncertain future after the state government withdrew almost $300 million in TAFE funding.
Productivity, jobs key for any rethink of Victorian funding cuts to training
by: Andrew Trounson, July 16, 2012 12:00AM
Coming up with training productivity gains and better job outcomes will be key to persuading the Victorian government to relent on its cuts to training and public TAFE, the Victorian Farmers Federation has warned.
At a Victorian TAFE Association-sponsored breakfast meeting in Melbourne on Friday with industry representatives federation president Peter Tuohey said that while he believes there is scope to pressure the government and achieve some changes in the next budget, industry needs to cooperate to come up with a plan that delivers training productivity gains if state Treasury is to be persuaded.
Teachers brace for Chisholm TAFE job cuts
BY JAMES TAYLOR, 17 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
THE union representing teachers at Chisholm Institute of TAFE campus believes a decision on its course closures and staff cuts will be announced by the end of the week.
The state government cut $300 million from the TAFE sector in its May budget, putting as many as 1500 jobs at risk across Victoria.
Students, teachers fight to save TAFE campus from closure
Updated July 17, 2012 07:04:22
Staff and students at Swinburne University have vowed to fight to ensure the Lilydale campus is not shut down.
About 200 people protested at the Lilydale campus to express their anger at the planned closure.
Colin Long from the Victorian branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (TEU) says they will remain defiant to ensure the campus stays open.
Outcry over plan to shutter campus
BY CLAIRE THWAITES, 17 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
PROTESTERS rallied against the closure of Swinburne University's Lilydale TAFE campus yesterday and the Yarra Ranges Council called for a reversal of the decision that has shocked the community.
Cr Jeanette McRae, who is a former Swinburne student, moved an urgent motion at a council meeting last week to write to the university to reconsider its decision.
Swinburne rally: Staff, students speak up at Lilydale campus
BY CLAIRE THWAITES, 16 Jul, 2012 04:07 PM
THE push to keep the Lilydale campus of Swinburne University and TAFE open continued at a protest rally on the site this afternoon.
About 200 concerned students and staff came together to speak against the announcement from Swinburne on July 6 that it would close the campus in mid-2013.
Kangan Institute explores options in Sunbury
17 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
KANGAN Institute has not ruled out running classes in Sunbury, despite the state government's funding cuts to TAFE courses in Victoria.
As reported in the Weekly earlier this year, Kangan had been in discussions with the government and other education providers about offering classes in Sunbury.
Trade Training Centre opens in Bendigo
CHLOE ROSS, 18 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
MORE than 4000 students across nine Bendigo schools will have access to new hospitality training facilities through a new Trade Training Centre.
Bendigo Federal MP Steve Gibbons yesterday opened the new centre based at Bendigo TAFE on behalf of Minister for School Education Peter Garrett.
TAFE cuts show MPs’ lack of forward planning
17 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
The substantial financial contribution that TAFE has made to the Victorian economy through the diversity of its education programs and skill development of its graduates is incalculable.
This has not been assessed by politicians, because to a single politician they are incapable of providing this assessment.
Non-unis 'vital' to bridging skills gap
by: John Ross, July 18, 2012 12:00AM
AS it prepares to confer its first bachelor of nursing degrees next Monday, Holmesglen Institute has called for courses in other skill-shortage occupations to be funded outside universities.
Chief executive Bruce Mackenzie said the government could not tackle skill shortages or achieve its social inclusion objectives if government-funded higher education places remained exclusive to universities.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/07/20/338751_news.html
Plea for full TAFE funds after Ford sackings
Peter Begg | July 20th, 2012
Geelong MP Ian Trezise
GEELONG MP Ian Trezise has called on the Baillieu Government to reinstate full TAFE funding to The Gordon after Ford's decision to cut 220 of its Geelong workforce.
Mr Trezise said the Government must now recognise that with redundancies at Avalon, Alcoa and Ford, Geelong had an urgent need for a fully funded and fully staffed Gordon TAFE.
Bishop Curnow slams TAFE cuts
ELOISE JOHNSTONE, 21 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
THE Anglican Bishop of Bendigo described the state government’s cuts to TAFE funding as “savage” at a convention of the state’s north west dioceses on Thursday night.
The Reverend Andrew Curnow said the TAFE cuts could be disastrous for regional areas.
http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/tafes-survive-initial-battle/2631095.aspx
TAFEs survive initial battle
BY PETER COLLINS, 21 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
DESPITE savage government funding reductions South West TAFE has survived the first stage with enrolment numbers holding strong — but a second round of cuts is imminent.
Enrolment numbers across the institute’s four campuses in Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton and Glenormiston are expected to be about 12,000, similar to earlier semesters.
Plan to close Prahran campus heaps insult on injury for TAFE
Judy Bissland, July 22, 2012
DOES anyone care about TAFE in Victoria? Certainly not the Baillieu Government, nor - it seems - does Swinburne University.
The Victorian government's changes to vocational training funding is threatening TAFE institutions' viability. Faced with this problem, Swinburne has decided to close its Lilydale campus and is negotiating with the government to close the Prahran campus.
Swinburne Prahran closure, Hawthorn move sparks outrage
BY ALISON BARCLAY, 23 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
SWINBURNE University's proposal to close its Prahran campus and shift up to 6000 students to Hawthorn has outraged students and residents of nearby streets.
Students say the main campus is already overcrowded, and residents fear traffic problems will destroy the neighbourhood's amenity.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/operators-to-tackle-concerns/story-fn7j19iv-1226426608737
Operators to tackle concerns
by: Neil Wilson, July 16, 2012 12:00AM
A WORRIED state tourism industry has convened a summit over the impact of Baillieu Government cuts to TAFE training courses as operators report declining profitability in recent months.
The cuts to the leisure, hospitality, recreation and tourism courses come as almost a third of tourism operators were also hit by rising wage costs in the second half of the year, according to a new survey.
http://www.footscraylife.com.au/2012/07/celebrate-tafe-in-footscray/
Celebrate TAFE in Footscray
Posted on Monday, July 16, 2012
Join Victoria University staff, students and local community members for a celebration of TAFE – your support is vital!
Featuring music, speakers and free food
The Victorian state government’s $300 Million cuts to the public TAFE system are outrageous and will take away the right of many people to access affordable education and training. TAFE has played a critical role in man people’s lives and we want to make sure it continues to do so.
http://lilydale-yarra-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/people-feeling-burned/
Hundreds unite to save Swinburne Lilydale
17 Jul 12 @ 05:00am by Kimberley Seedy
PEOPLE power has been unleashed with Yarra Ranges Council, politicians and hundreds of teachers and students fighting to keep the Swinburne Lilydale campus open.
Yesterday 200 students and teachers marched down Lilydale Main St to protest the closure.
http://www.bendigoweekly.com/news/concerns-tafe-cuts-will-hurt
Concerns TAFE cuts will hurt
Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 13-Jul-2012
ONE of Bendigo’s most important tourist destinations has become a busy and productive artisinal centre, thanks to graduates of Bendigo’s embattled TAFE.
“You can see the results,” artist Catherine Brennan said this week at her studio onsite at the Bendigo Pottery.
Students without courses and staff without jobs after Swinburne closes Lilydale campus
Posted by: 3AW Radio | 6 July, 2012 - 2:06 PM
More than one thousand TAFE students will be denied courses and 240 staff will lose their jobs after Swinburne University's decision to close its Lilydale campus.
Courses in hospitality, leisure, recreation and tourism will no longer be offered, and courses in low demand will also be dumped from 1st July 2013.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-13/tafe-colleges-brace-for-more-bad-news/4130070
TAFE Colleges brace for more bad news
Cheryl Hall, July 13, 2012 20:13:00
Training and industry groups warn of more campus closures and skills shortages.
Source: 7.30 Victoria | Duration: 6min 40sec
Lilydale TAFE campus closure sinks pool plan
BY CLAIRE THWAITES, 24 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
A POTENTIAL deal between Swinburne University and Yarra Ranges Council to build a community aquatic centre has been halted by the move to close the university's Lilydale TAFE campus.
In a blow for the council, the future of the project is in limbo with Swinburne's shock announcement earlier this month that it intends to close the campus by mid-2013.
New chief forced to bend in the storm
Benjamin Preiss, July 24, 2012
SHE'S been in the job barely a year, so Linda Kristjanson could be forgiven for feeling daunted - even overwhelmed - by the challenges she has confronted since becoming vice-chancellor of Swinburne University. Faced with large-scale redundancies, staff and student protests and a budgetary black hole, her circumstances could hardly be more stressful.
She has announced the closure of one campus and flagged plans to quit another. She will also cut loose Australia's only institute that offers a degree in circus arts.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/tafes-doing-it-tough/story-e6frgcjx-1226434203036
TAFEs doing it tough
by: John Ross, July 25, 2012 12:00AM
WHILE Victorian TAFE budget cuts have dominated the headlines, other states' public trainers are suffering a similar downturn, according to an analysis of the latest national training figures.
The study by the University of Melbourne's Leesa Wheelahan found that TAFEs were in trouble in South Australia, Queensland, NSW and the ACT, as well as Victoria.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/07/24/3552256.htm?site=goulburnmurray
Manager says Community Colleges could pick up TAFE courses
By ABC Goulburn Murray, 24 July, 2012 12:48PM AEST
A manager of a Community College in north east Victoria says the organisations in Victoria could take on some of the TAFE courses recently lost in government funding cuts, but not all of them.
Manager of Albury Wodonga Community College Rodney Wangman says Community Colleges can assist in some skill areas but they don't have the infrastructure to take on all cut courses.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/142269/ub-tafe-staff-wait-for-bad-news/
UB TAFE staff wait for bad news
By Neelima Choahan, July 23, 2012, midnight
TAFE staff will find out this week whether a voluntary redundancies program will meet a University of Ballarat target.
National Tertiary Union Ballarat branch president Jeremy Smith said staff were under “considerable” stress because of the current situation.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/143367/ballarat-education-expert-warns-on-tafe-cuts/?c=60
Ballarat education expert warns on TAFE cuts
July 25, 2012, midnight
CUTS to TAFE funding will cause a rise in unskilled workers who could be more vulnerable to job losses during an economic downturn, an education expert has warned.
University of Ballarat Professor Barry Golding said a federal government discussion paper on skills and workforce development highlighted the issues facing regional workforces.
Drum should fight TAFE cuts, not support them
DANIEL ANDREWS, STATE OPPOSITION LEADER, 24 Jul, 2012 04:00 AM
Damian Drum is failing young people in Bendigo.
If Mr Drum cared about the future of Bendigo, he would be fighting against the Baillieu-Ryan Coalition’s cuts to regional TAFEs – not supporting them.
Footscray fights TAFE cuts
25 Jul 12 @ 03:40pm by Bridie Byrne
MORE than 300 students and staff have rallied against savage TAFE cuts at Victoria University.
Protesters carrying placards of "No Cuts'', "Sack Ted'' and "Education Not For Profit'' vented their anger towards the State Government at the Footscray campus yesterday.
Hands off TAFE, crowd and postcards declare
BY BENJAMIN MILLAR, 25 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
STUDENTS, staff and the wider community yesterday joined in a protest against the state government's $300 million cuts to TAFE funding.
A rally held at the Victoria University Nicholson Street campus in Footscray sent a loud message that the cuts would have a devastating impact on education and training in Melbourne's west.
Leongatha TAFE campus open for business
Updated July 25, 2012 11:50:50
GippsTAFE has reassured students that its Leongatha campus will remain open, despite the possibility of losing 20 courses.
The Leongatha campus was opened early last year and features a purpose-built training kitchen used in hospitality courses, one of the areas hardest hit by recent funding cuts.
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/tafe-funding-cuts-fought-in-chadstone/
TAFE funding cuts fought in Chadstone
26 Jul 12 @ 03:35pm by Tim Michell
STAFF and students from Holmesglen TAFE stopped work today to rally against the State Government's $300 million funding cuts.
Holmesglen - which has campuses in Chadstone and Glen Waverley - has warned it will have to increase fees and offer redundancies after losing $25.5 million in funding in this year's State Budget.
LH Martin Institute - Multimedia - Forum on TAFE funding cuts, July 2012
Link to Video
http://www.krock.com.au/index.php/news/18359-petition-to-fight-tafe-cuts
Petition to fight TAFE cuts
A new online petition has been launched against the planned funding cuts to the TAFE system.
The petition is available at www.fightTAFEcuts.com.au
http://www.vta.vic.edu.au/docs/Budget%20cuts%20summary%20-%20Fact%20sheet%20for%20distribution.pdf
Victorian TAFE Association Inc
Victorian TAFE Budget cuts: Summary information (27 July 2012)
1. In 2009, the Victorian Government introduced a policy called the Victorian Training Guarantee where all eligible students would access government training subsidies. Previously, the government purchased discreet packages of training from TAFEs and some private registered training organisations (RTOs).
2. Government funded delivery by TAFE providers grew 4% between 2008 and 2011 and was stagnant between 2010 and 2011. (VTM Quarterly Report Full Year 2011)
http://www.3ba.com.au/index.php/news/16857-council-defends-tafe-stance
Council Defends TAFE Stance | Radio 3BA
Cr John Phillips has defended the City of Ballarats decision not to officially take a stand against the State Governments TAFE cuts.
Council earlier this year voted against writing an official letter denoting the State Governments proposed TAFE cuts.
http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/croydon-tafe-faces-huge-cuts/
Croydon TAFE faces huge cuts
31 Jul 12 @ 04:41am by Angus Livingston
SWINBURNE University's Croydon campus will stay open but course numbers will be gutted, the university has confirmed.
Staff at the Lilydale campus have already been told their site will close.
Box Hill students, staff to rally against TAFE funding cuts
31 Jul 12 @ 09:17am by Laura Jolly
STAFF and students from Box Hill Institute will gather today to protest the State Government TAFE funding cuts.
AEU Victorian Branch president Mary Bluett urged students, staff and community members to attend the rally in support of the TAFE.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/07/31/340931_news.html
Public say on cuts at Gordon
Danny Lannen | July 31st, 2012
WEIGHT of public concern has prompted Geelong Mayor John Mitchell to convene a public forum evaluating the impact of TAFE budget cuts on The Gordon.
Australian Education Union representative Greg Barclay, Victorian TAFE Association executive director David Williams, National Tertiary Education Union state secretary Colin Long and student representative Nina Cleary will be among speakers at the August 8 gathering at Geelong West Town Hall.
http://www.melbourneweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/rally-over-tafe-cuts/2638803.aspx
Rally over TAFE cuts
30 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
NATIONAL Tertiary Education Union division secretary Colin Long, Australian Education Union delegate Joe Cross, Victoria University teacher Jennifer Walsh and Vice President of the Australian Education Union Greg Barclay led a rally of more than 100 teachers and students at Holmesglen TAFE on Thursday to voice anger at the Baillieu government's TAFE funding cuts.
Four Holmesglen IT teachers were made redundant and there are fears of more payouts at the Chadstone institute.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/152747/tafe-morale-at-new-low/?cs=71
TAFE morale at new low
By RACHEL AFFLICK, July 31, 2012, midnight
The protest on Lydiard Street earlier this year while Premier Ted Baillieu was speaking. (FILE)
THE Australian Education Union will meet with the University of Ballarat today to discuss further job losses at its TAFE campuses, where it’s claimed morale has dropped to an all-time low.
http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/151160/baillieus-cuts-will-have-drastic-effect/?cs=65
Baillieu's cuts will have drastic effect
Letter from Geoff Howard MP July 30, 2012, 2:02 p.m.
In recent times the Liberal and National MPs who were elected to represent this region, Simon Ramsay and David O'Brien have both demonstrated through letters in this paper that they will back bad decisions of the Baillieu government ahead of representing the interests of this region.
They don't dispute that TAFE cuts will rip $20 million from University of Ballarat causing their TAFE programs to be cut by over 30 per cent by the beginning of next year. Instead they have argued the Baillieu government's mantra that TAFE growth was unsustainable.
http://www.brimbankweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/hands-off-tafe-crowd-declares/2638621.aspx
Hands off TAFE, crowd declares
BY BENJAMIN MILLAR, 31 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
STUDENTS, staff and the wider community have joined in a protest against the state government's $300 million cuts to TAFE funding.
A rally held at the Victoria University Nicholson Street campus in Footscray last Tuesday sent a loud message that the cuts would have a devastating impact on education and training in Melbourne's west.
Branch Contacts
Branch Office
Bdg 166, Old Metallurgy Bdg Parkville Campus
University of Melbourne
Phone: 03 8344 6828
unimelb@nteu.org.au
http://www.nteu.org.au/melb
Ted Clark
Branch President
ejtc@unimelb.edu.au
Corey Rabaut
Division Organiser
crabaut@nteu.org.au
Rebecca Muratore
Branch Industrial Organiser
rmuratore@nteu.org.au
