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NTEU media release: Victorian budget 2012 – another significant step in the privatisation of our public VET system

Posted 1 May 2012 by Andrew Nette (NTEU National Office)

Funding cuts announced in today’s Victorian state budget are another significant step in the dismantling of the state’s public vocational education and training system, according to the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).

 The cuts announced on the weekend and confirmed in today’s budget, involve effectively reducing base funding to public TAFE by 22 per cent from the start of 2013.

“This is a massive funding cut,” said Dr Colin Long, NTEU Victorian Division Secretary. “It will definitely result in further job losses, reduced course offerings, and the closure of some TAFE facilities.”

“Overall, the impact it will have the quality of TAFE education and training in Victoria will be severe.”

“I am aware of at least two TAFE institutions that have put their staff on notice about the serious consequences of these cuts for their financial bottom line.”

“It’s also going to make life even harder for dual sector institutions, like Victoria University which is already struggling and this week announced a major restructure to cope with cuts to public funding and increased competition from private providers.”

“If the Victorian Government announced it was going to privatise a major public asset it would be greeted with fierce public debate.”

“But because no one has called this a privatization it’s been allowed to happen with a minimum of opposition.”

“A significant public education infrastructure and public asset that has taken generations to build is being dismantled before the public’s eyes to provide opportunities for cut rate private providers that are not properly regulated.”

“TAFE provides education opportunities and support for some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged students, such as libraries, counseling services and learning support.”

“Both political parties share the responsibility for this situation.”

 For more information and comment

Colin Long, NTEU Victoria Secretary: 0403 920 361

Tags: , , , • Related Blogs: Vic Division, University of Ballarat, La Trobe University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, Australian Catholic University, ACT Division, NSW Division, NT Division, WA Division, SA Division, Qld Division, Tas Division, University of Adelaide, Australian Defence Force Academy, Australian National University, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Bond University, University of Canberra, Charles Darwin University, Central Queensland University, Charles Sturt University, Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Flinders University, Griffith University, James Cook University, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, University of Notre Dame Australia, University of Newcastle, University of New South Wales, Queensland University of Technology, Southern Cross University, University of Sydney, University of New England, University of Queensland, University of South Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast, University of Southern Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, University of Western Australia, University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong

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