Thursday, 4 June 2026

 Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing, Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Skills and TAFE) (14:24): When Labor see TAFE, we see opportunity. That is why we legislated the free TAFE guarantee. This landmark reform means at least 70 per cent of all government VET funding will go to TAFE, protecting the public training system that Victorians rely on. Right now thousands of Victorians are studying nursing, plumbing, disability support, clean energy, construction and other priority courses through free TAFE. More than 245,000 free TAFE students have saved around $3300 per student. For many families, that is money that stays in the pocket for groceries, petrol bills, household bills and much more. We are not stopping there. Through the SEC apprenticeship academy, Labor will deliver 2000 electrical apprenticeships over the next four years, giving young people a good job, trade training and a fair go.

While Labor is backing TAFE and apprenticeships, there are some whose only plan is to cut. While we are backing skills and jobs in every corner of the state, with 44 per cent of our funding for TAFE capital projects going into regional Victoria, there are some who want to cut that to just 25 per cent. You cannot support regional communities while cutting the TAFE and training opportunities that they rely on. Victorians have not forgotten the last time the Liberals were in government with the Nationals; they ripped more than $1 billion out of the TAFE system, sacked more than 2000 TAFE teachers and shut 22 TAFE campuses. We know they will cut TAFE again as part of their $40 billion worth of cuts. You do not need a trade qualification to know that when it comes to TAFE Labor delivers and the Liberals cut.