LABOR and the Coalition may have drawn battle lines last week over TAFE changes in the lead-up to the NSW Election, but The Greens have declared a pox on both their houses - with Labor getting the worst review.
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The major parties slammed each others policies in last week’s Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, but Greens MP Dr John Kaye does not like either.
However, he has warned Moruya and Bega TAFE could be worse off under a Labor state government than a Coalition one, due to funding for private-for-profit training corporations.
“The Liberals and Nationals Smart and Skilled training market has already seen 19 per cent of NSW’s $2.3 billion annual vocational education and training budget go to non-government providers, and they say they are willing to let that get to 27 per cent in the 2015/16 financial year,” Dr Kaye said.
Dr Kaye was speaking on a visit to Batemans Bay last week.
“However, Labor has said they are willing for it to get to 30 per cent, which means that we could be worse off under a Labor government than a Coalition one.”
Dr Kaye, who was campaigning in the Eurobodalla with Bega Greens candidate Margaret Perger, conceded Labor had said it would not let the amount exceed 30 per cent.
He believes the diversion of funds threatened TAFE’s future.
“On the South Coast, this is a very serious issue,” he said.
“Without TAFE, the future is grim.
“Opportunities for young people will be lost if TAFE is cannabilised.
“There is a high level of youth unemployment in the Eurobodalla and this can only be addressed by TAFE.”
The Greens want no money to go to private training corporations for services TAFE could provide.
