Budget shows Labor has broken its TAFE promises

Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships , Steph Ryan

The 2016/17 State Budget shows Daniel Andrews’ pledge to grow enrolments in TAFEs and vocational education and training was a lie.

Fewer students are now in training than when the Liberal-Nationals Coalition left office and the State Budget has revealed further cuts.

In 2015, Labor trained 65,856 fewer students, subsidised 800,000 fewer enrolments and reduced government subsidised training by 27 million hours. (Budget Paper 3, p 184-5)

Places for young people also declined, with a 4.8 per cent drop in the participation rate of 15 to 24 year olds in the training system. (Budget Paper 3, p. 186)

Labor intends to continue these cuts, with the budget revealing it is lowering its training targets for next year.

Comments from Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan:

“Despite hiking taxes by $3.7 billion or 20.7 per cent since the election, Daniel Andrews is cutting Victoria’s training system.

“Under Labor, TAFEs now receive less funding to subsidise student training resulting in 65,856 fewer students last year.

“Youth unemployment is as high as 17 per cent in some areas under Daniel Andrews but he is failing to ensure young people are getting the skills they need to get a job.”
Media contact: Sarah O’Connor 0432 074 888 sarah.oconnor@opposition.vic.gov.au