Denham holts the decline

Labor candidate for Noosa Mark Denham has pledge to “rescue” the Tewantin TAFE and the vocational education and training sector from decline, if elected in this weekend’s state election.
Mr Denham said TAFE facilities and training has suffered under the Campbell Newman government and LNP leadership.
“If the LNP retains government, more TAFE assets will be sold, and Noosa TAFE will remain closed, all vocational training will be privatised and many students will be unable to afford courses,” he said.
Mr Denham said Labor will inject $39 million into the TAFE sector, including $34 million to reinvigorate education and training, as well as a further $5 million to increase the number of courses available through VET in schools and to make education easier to access and more affordable for Noosa residents.
Labor has also promised to establish a fully independent Training Ombudsman to restore accountability to the sector and restore foundation courses for people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mr Denham said a Labor Government will also provide up to $3 million over three years to help TAFE campuses provide courses in foundation skills such as literacy and numeracy.
“This will give individuals on low incomes, or receiving government assistance, the opportunity to access affordable education,” he said.
Mr Denham said all Queenslanders have the right to an affordable education and Labor’s investment will create up to 100 teaching and support jobs across the state, but Mr Denham was unable to provide details on how Labor will fund the proposed rescue plan.
“Full costings on all of Labor’s policies will be released in the course of the campaign,” he said.
“But, Annastacia Palaszczuk has made it clear they will not be funded from the sale of our assets.”