[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE \\ Public funding for private providers should be redirected to TAFE

[Jegatheeswaran, Brami (Jegan) (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA RELEASE
7 November 2014

Public funding for private providers should be redirected to TAFE

The Greens have welcomed the call from TAFE Directors for the Senate to block public funding being awarded to private education providers and want an end to the "contestability model" that has seen millions of dollars flow to private vocational providers at the expense of TAFE.

"Reports that only 20 per cent of the 1515 private education providers audited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority complied fully with standards during 2013-14 highlight the problems inherent in a system of privatised education," said Greens higher education spokesperson Lee Rhiannon.

"TAFE in Australia has been completely undermined as a national vocational educator by successive state and federal governments by allowing private for profit education providers to access public money

"Thousands of TAFE jobs across the country have been slashed as a result of this privatisation agenda, and there have been enormous fee increases, putting TAFE out of reach for many prospective students.

"The Federal Coalition is seeking to rollout this failed model in the higher education sector by robbing universities and students to handout $450 million to private higher education providers over three years.

"The Coalition's damaging and elitist plan for higher education needs to be voted down so we can then start a discussion about how to ensure the survival of TAFE and our public university system," said Senator Rhiannon.

Contact: Brami Jegan 0487 350 880

Brami Jegan
Communications | Strategy
for Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon

72 Campbell Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
p: (02) 9211 9523 | m: 0487 350 880

http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/

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