Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Polley and Senator O'Neill, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system in Australia derives $92.5 billion per year in economic benefits associated with direct operation of TAFE establishments, higher incomes and productivity generated by the TAFE–qualified workforce and reduced social welfare costs,

  (ii) the costs of investment in TAFE are modest, at $5.7 billion per year, representing only 0.3% of GDP; despite this, the direct tax revenue which is generated as a result of an increase in productivity and incomes is worth $25 billion per year and represents 4.4 times the return on the investment in the TAFE system, and

  (iii) the Liberals have cut more than $3 billion from TAFE and training, 140,000 apprentices and trainees have been lost, and Australia has had widespread shortages of critical workers including plumbers, carpenters, metalworkers, hairdressers, and aged care staff; and

(b) calls on the Government to stop the cuts to the TAFE system and to support our apprentices and trainees – we need to boost our skills at this pivotal point, where we can rebuild our economy with an appropriately skilled work force.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government rejects the premise of this motion. The Morrison government is strongly committed to ensuring we have a high-quality skills sector that is responsive to industry needs, flexible and attractive to students. Our vocational education and training investment will increase to $6.5 billion in 2020-21, including $3.6 billion in skills programs and employer incentives for Australian apprenticeships, $1.6 billion to the states and territories, and $0.7 billion to states and territories via a set of national partnership agreements, including JobTrainer, the Skilling Australians Fund and the revitalising TAFEs initiative. It's important to note that TAFEs are funded and operated by the states and territories.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For decades we've seen our TAFE system ripped apart by successive federal governments and state governments through neglect, through lack of funding and through privatisation. This is incredibly short-sighted and destructive. TAFE educates and trains the skilled workers that communities, businesses and industries across the country depend on. TAFEs will be at the centre of rebuilding after the bushfires and the pandemic as we transition to a renewable energy future. A high-quality, publicly owned and fully funded TAFE system is essential for building an economically and socially just society. Everyone has a right to education, regardless of what you want to study and what stage of life you're at. Not only should TAFE be properly funded; it should be free.

Question agreed to.