Glenormiston College.
A LABOR MP has slammed TAFE cuts at Glenormiston College, saying the state government should support proper training and education in the rural sector.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford told Parliament this week she was disturbed to read about tough decisions being made at the agricultural college as a consequence of the government’s cuts to TAFE funding. Several courses at the college, part of South West TAFE, were dropped this year as the board grappled to cope with funding cuts.
Ms Pulford said she was not surprised at the course cutbacks, saying the government “consistently demonstrated no commitment to providing quality education services for people in Victoria”.
While the opposition had leaked TAFE transition plans, it had no other information from the government about any further cuts to courses or staffing at colleges across the state.
“As a member representing a regional area, I note that cuts to TAFEs have had a disproportionate effect on people in regional and rural communities,” Ms Pulford said.
“TAFEs are often the only educational institutions to which people in these areas can go, so this is concerning. It follows the sale of assets at Glenormiston, floated in the leaked TAFE transition plan document.”
She said the number of students graduating from agricultural education and training courses was already failing to meet demand.
