Jo Haylen, the Member for Summer Hill, condemned the Baird Government’s continued attacks on TAFE in NSW, with confirmation in the NSW Budget this week that the West Street campus will close, enrolments have plummeted and thousands of TAFE teachers and support staff have been sacked.

West Street campus is due to close by the end of the year, with courses and students moved to alternative campuses and the future of the building as a public asset in limbo.

Analysis of the Budget shows that this year 126,000 fewer students are enrolled in TAFE compared to 2012. Similarly, 5,200 TAFE teachers and support staff have been sacked by the Liberal Government since 2012.

Meanwhile, the Budget has also revealed the Government invested $314 million less than promised in TAFE during 2014-15.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Summer Hill

“The Budget shows this Government is ideologically opposed to TAFE and public education.

“The dismantling of TAFE under this Premier has led to casualties across the State and I’m disappointed Petersham is now one of them.

“Now we know West Street is set to close, it must be reserved as a public education facility. The last thing Inner West residents wants to see is West Street TAFE sold to developers for yet more apartments.

“Labor will always stand up for the strongest possible public education system” 

“Reserving at least 70 per cent of all public funding for vocational education and training for TAFE will ensure the institution’s future in the inner west.

“Labor’s plan will make TAFE sustainable, affordable and accessible for the people of the inner west, including at Petersham.