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The Andrews Labor Government has cut funding for Australian sign language (AUSLAN) courses, says Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan.
From January 1 next year, Melbourne Polytechnic, as the sole provider of accredited AUSLAN qualifications in Victoria, will no longer be subsidised by the Victorian Government to deliver a Certificate II, III and IV or Diploma in Auslan.
The decision to cut funding for Auslan was revealed in changes to the Andrews Government’s 2018 funded course list.
The course was first accredited in 2011 by the Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) to enable the acquisition of skills by members of the deaf community.
In 2012 as Labor’s spokesperson for Skills and Training, Steve Herbert stated: “Clearly there’s a need for this training, and the government should simply fund at TAFE to provide it from the start of next year”.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan
Victoria’s deaf community deserve better than Daniel Andrews’ callous funding cuts.
From the start of next year, Victorians will have to pay more than $5000 to gain these important skills.
Daniel Andrews should immediately reinstate this qualification to ensure it can continue to be delivered as an accredited qualification next year.
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