TAFE matters
By Phil Bradley
TAFE campaign
Following the valuable MP lobbying week in Canberra, Federation is also now pressuring NSW MPs to significantly increase TAFE funding.
On November 14, Premier Morris Iemma launched the State Plan for NSW, which stated that "our economy will require more people with skills and more people with higher skills over the next 20 years. This will require further investment in TAFE to adopt a stronger workforce development approach and deliver the training places necessary to meet industry demands" and "support will be given to TAFE Institutes to work in partnership with local businesses and industries to assist in workforce development and foster economic growth within the region".
These statements, along with recommendations in the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal report and the TAFE Futures National Inquiry will assist Federation in its ongoing campaign to have the NSW Government allocate an additional $250 million for TAFE per year to partly redress prior cuts and to provide growth in the future. The federal Howard Government should also play its part in increasing its TAFE budgetary allocations, if only to redress the $140 million per year shortfall in NSW that it is responsible for. Federation's arguments are now compelling, particularly given that the independent Allen Consulting Group report on TAFE NSW found that for every $1 spent on TAFE there will be a $6.40 return to the economy. Federation was also engaged in intensive lobbying of state MPs during the week of November 20.
The union is also continuing to encourage members, students and community/industry people to sign up to the www.isupportTAFE.com.au website.
Permanency campaign and a new TAFE staffing agreement
Part of the state MP lobbying week referred to above was a "Permanency Now!" Day on November 22, to try to achieve access to permanency for long term temporary TAFE teachers in the same way as it is already available to other public servants including school teachers. If you haven't already done so, please visit the Campaigns area of the Federation's website (www.nswtf.org.au/campaigns). In this area, you will find a quick email facility to enable you to send a message to Minister Carmel Tebbutt, Premier Morris Iemma and your local State Member of Parliament about conversion of temporary teachers to permanency. Federation is continuing to work for a new staffing agreement which should provide the right to seek conversion to permanency, and the replacement and creation of more full time and part time permanent positions. There should also be some priority given for long term part time casuals and temporary teachers and counsellors. Increasing the number of Aboriginal teachers to reflect the student population is also an issue.
Course cuts
Strong action by members in the Illawara Institute has succeeded in reversing most of the proposed cuts to arts and media in the Southern Highlands (see story page 4). Federation needs to be informed of any other unwarranted proposals to cut course provision, especially in areas of skills shortage. Information is also needed on any proposals to cut course duration unreasonably.
Encouraging students to enrol to vote
There is an electronic enrol to vote form on the Australian Electoral Commission's website www.aec.gov.au, which members are asked to draw to the attention of students or other people who should be enrolling in preparation for the March 24, 2007 state election and the federal election, likely to be towards the end of 2007. The electoral enrolment form can also be used to update personal, address and other details. Enrolling to vote will be more difficult from February next year with new forms and proof of ID requirements.
Phil Bradley is the Assistant General Secretary (Post School Education).
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For further information
November 2006 contents
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