TAFE sales 'disgraceful': Tim Mulherin
THE Queensland state opposition has hit out a government plan to shut 13 TAFE campuses, but Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the system had to be made "viable"
Of the 13 sites, five were already on the market, three were not being used and a further five will be sold off.
The move to sell the buildings and land were part of the 40 recommendations of the Skills and Training Taskforce, 37 of which the state government will act on.
Mr Langbroek said the taskforce recommended action in three main areas: the role and performance of the public providers, the apprenticeship system and industry engagement.
He said the government had committed to fix the VET system in Queensland, with the taskforce report highlighting "systemic problems in TAFE" and the urgent need for action.
But Deputy Labor Leader Tim Mulherin said it was disgraceful the government was engaging in asset sales, despite the Labor Government's asset sales playing a key role in its electoral defeat earlier this year.
Mr Mulherin said the government could not leave regional communities wondering if they would have access to TAFE.
"The LNP Government has already slashed the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative which helped place young people and the long-term unemployed in work," he said.
"Now the LNP Government is further disadvantaging regional communities by making access to education and training even more difficult."
There will also be 12 sites around Central Queensland which will be transferred to the CQ University, as part of the university's merger with TAFE in the region.
CAMPUS CLOSURES:
Already on the market:
- Chelmer
- Garbutt
- Townsville City
- Ipswich City
- Bolsover Street, Rockhampton
Unused:
- Cordelia Street, South Brisbane
- Mareeba Farm
- Springwood
Additional sales:
- North Lakes (vacant land)
- Cleveland (vacant land)
- Manning Street
- Bundaberg Marine
- Windsor Road, Nambour
