Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

The Commonwealth government confirmed in December of 2007 that it would honour existing funding arrangements with all the 24 ATCs until their expiry date on 31 December 2009, by which time their future integration into the education and training systems of the states and territories would be agreed. The government has undertaken extensive consultations, which began in March of 2008, across the country and at each of the state and local levels to integrate these colleges into the broader education and training efforts to ensure the maximum use of all the education and training infrastructure in each region. The government continues to work to ensure that all ATC students are able to complete their education and training programs as planned under the arrangements entered into with regard to the ATCs.

The minister has announced approval for future arrangements for 23 colleges, including the ATC Northern Tasmania. Of the 23 ATCs, five have already been integrated into education facilities and the Commonwealth has entered into new funding arrangements to support those new arrangements. Eighteen ATCs are progressing towards integration between now and the end of December 2009. The department continues to work with these colleges and the state and territory governments to ensure that the system is able to support the integration of all students. As well as ensuring the ATCs are integrated into existing education and training schemes, the government is delivering some $2.5 billion for trade training centres in schools that will benefit all Australian secondary schools.