Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:36): Everyone knows that Victoria is an industrial powerhouse. One of our strengths identified in our industry policy is our highly skilled workforce. That does not happen by accident; that is down to years of investment in TAFE and skills development. The Allan Labor government is proud to back our TAFE and training sector and every Victorian looking to boost their skills – the Marys and Joes of every suburb and every region.

But that has not always been the way. In that dark period between 2010 and 2014 we saw savage cuts to TAFE – more than 2000 TAFE teachers sacked, a billion dollars ripped out of TAFE courses, 22 TAFE campuses closed across the state. Who will forget the padlocks locking the gates at Lilydale TAFE campus? The member for Eltham, the member for Yan Yean and I will never forget Greensborough TAFE being shut down shamefully during that time.

Thankfully the Allan Labor government has rebuilt TAFE and opened up opportunities – free TAFE is a great example – in vital industry areas. It is critical to maintain a highly skilled workforce for industry and for people’s futures. This year’s state budget, as an example, invests $459 million in the skills and TAFE portfolio. But there are some who we know will take an axe to TAFE if they have the chance. There are some who are planning $10.8 billion worth of cuts to the very services that Victorians rely on.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity to sledge the opposition.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for half an hour, and the Member for Sunbury is warned. I did not hear the minister mention the opposition.

The member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a further point of order, Speaker, I think I took some 10 points of order yesterday in relation to this very issue. If you have forgotten, I am happy to go through it.

The SPEAKER: Are you reflecting on the Chair?

James Newbury: Not at all.

The SPEAKER: Resume your seat. It is not a point of order. The minister did not refer to the opposition.

Colin BROOKS: There are some who are planning $10.8 billion in cuts to the very services that Victorians rely on. They have done it before; they will do it again. It is in their DNA. We all know that if they get the chance the Liberals and Nationals will gut TAFE.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, clearly now the minister is misusing the ministers statement to create more fictions in his response.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.