Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:22): Victorian families deserve public education they can rely on. Victorians deserve TAFE campuses close to home so they can access quality training regardless of their postcode, and Victorians deserve free education at their local TAFE so there is no cost barrier to high-paying jobs. When we came to government those opposite had closed 22 TAFE campuses, including 18 in regional Victoria, and I am pleased to update the chamber that Labor has repaired TAFE. We have restored the TAFE network right across our state, including in our regions.

Just last week I unveiled the 45th new and upgraded TAFE campus, and I did it proudly in regional Victoria. Last week I also announced $50 million in joint state and federal funding for two new TAFE centres of excellence. Our current TAFE capital program now includes the Digital, AI and Technology Centre of Excellence in Frankston, which will cement Victoria’s position as a national leader in AI skills and innovation; the Home and Community Care Centre of Excellence in Moorabbin, which will help the growing demand in home-based care; the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion in Geelong, which will harness the power of TAFE in inclusive employment; the trade centre in Warrnambool; and the new campus in Melton – not to mention the new campus in Sunbury. Labor has invested well over $700 million in 45 new and upgraded TAFE campuses. Under Labor the number will keep rising, because only Labor will be able to guarantee funding certainty for TAFE and only Labor will guarantee free TAFE. Only Labor will deliver the quality education Victorian families deserve.