TAFE Tuition Fees

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Speakers - Burnswoods The Hon Jan; Chadwick The Hon Virginia
Business - Questions Without Notice

TAFE TUITION FEES

The Hon. JAN BURNSWOODS: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs and Minister for Employment and Training. Has the TAFE Commission stated that no decision will be taken until October on the proposed new $500 TAFE tuition fees in 1994? Have full-time staff already been seconded to a steering group to implement the new fees by the commencement of 1994? Has this steering group prepared a detailed timetable for the development of computer systems, fee collecting procedures, staff training and public awareness to occur before October? Will the Minister now direct that work cease on the implementation of the new TAFE fees until she makes her decision in October?

The Hon. VIRGINIA CHADWICK: The Hon. Jan Burnswoods would be aware that for many years there has been considerable debate not only by New South Wales TAFE but also by vocational education institutions right around Australia about a more equitable approach to the charges being levied by TAFE. I know that the honourable member is aware that charges are currently being levied by TAFE. The honourable member should also be aware that there are a number of inequities in the allocation of those charges. Those inequities could spread to similar charges being imposed in respect of short, long, intensive and costly courses. When I became Minister responsible for TAFE some time ago I became aware that considerable work had been done in trying to bring about a more equitable system of fees. After looking at that work I became aware that it had not been completed.

Given the time of the year, it was unlikely that it would be administratively feasible to bring in a new system of charges - which would have begun in 1993 - without causing great disruption. Given that we were also undergoing the last of the management changes at college level, it seemed to me that the beginning of 1993 was not a good time for us to move in that area. I have never made any secret of the fact that a lot of work has been done over a long period. A working party, which was in place when I became Minister, has continued and will continue until this matter is resolved.

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National consideration of the issue is on the agenda for a meeting of Ministers of Vocational Education, Employment and Training, which will take place tomorrow. In case the honourable member thinks some strange conspiracy is taking place, with secret working parties in New South Wales, there is no secret about it. The matter has been under consideration for a couple of years. A decision will be made one way or the other well before October, so that if there is to be any change, it can be implemented in an orderly fashion and in a way that the colleges and students, both current and future, can cope with. The decision will be made long before October.

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