[Greens-Media] Carr Govt punishes TAFE students

[Hans VanLeeuwen]

Carr Govt punishes TAFE students
Media release - December 2, 2004

The Carr Government is ultimately responsible for any disruptions
suffered by TAFE students during the current industrial action, Greens
MP Lee Rhiannon said today.
 
"Education Minister Andrew Refshauge says that TAFE teachers are
punishing their students by taking industrial action. But in fact it's
Dr Refshauge who is punishing both students and their teachers," Ms
Rhiannon said.
 
"TAFE students are being punished with higher fees, reduced course
offerings, stretched resources and underpaid teachers.
 
"Senior TAFE teachers are being punished by not receiving the pay rise
offered to their public school peers.
 
"Because TAFE teachers have been backed into a corner by this
penny-pinching Government, they sadly have no option but to take action.
 
"If the Government was prepared to fully fund TAFE and treat its
teachers properly, this would not be happening.
 
"The buck stops with Government, and TAFE students know that it's Dr
Refshauge who is to blame, not their hardworking and underpaid teachers.
 
"We congratulate TAFE teachers on taking action to safeguard the quality
and strength of the TAFE system," Ms Rhiannon said.


Hans van Leeuwen
Media Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Tel: (61 2) 9230 3551
Fax: (61 2) 9230 3550
Mob: 0425 310 562
hans.vanleeuwen at parliament.nsw.gov.au