Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rhiannon for her question. I am not sure how she came to have the letter that I sent to Carmel Tebbutt, but that is a question for her and Carmel Tebbutt. I do not have that in front of me, but can I say that I do not accept some of the concerns expressed in the senator's question. We are very much committed to a strong reform agenda in the vocational education and training system. We do think the sector is in need of further reform, but we back that by record investment in the VET sector. Over the last three years, this government has put $11.1 billion into VET, compared to $7.2 billion over the last three years of the previous government. So we are seeking to reform and invest to try to build the skills base this country needs to take advantage of the growth in the economy and the opportunities provided by the mining boom. So we are committed to reform in VET. We are committed to greater investment in VET and have a commitment to the skills and training agenda.

It is true that a number of the states have gone down a series of reform programs, most notably in Victoria, where they have provided a greater role for the private sector. I do not have any problem with there being competition between private providers and the TAFE system in the VET space, and I do not expect that private providers would operate unless they were making a profit. So making a profit in itself, it seems to me, is not something one could be critical of them for doing. But it is the case that I have a very strong view that there is a significant role for TAFE to play in the future of VET in this country. We have invested enormously in both the facilities and the skills of the staff. It is a very key part of our training system, and in no way should these reforms be seen as a reduction in the contribution of TAFE. (Time expired)