Labor is calling on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to keep his hands off TAFE as part of his fire-sale of state owned businesses to prop up his busted budget.

Tasmania is facing a skills shortage, and selling off TAFE would only make it worse, with less courses and higher fees for students.

In sectors like childcare – which is begging for more qualified workers – TAFE is critically important to addressing employment challenges.

The Liberals have already tried to take TAFE down a path of privatisation through an unlawful reform process in 2021. That process saw them forced into promising that TAFE would remain in public hands.

At the time they also said that no worker would be worse off, and that there would be no forced redundancies – promises which have both now been broken. They also promised to employ 100 new TAFE teachers which Tasmanians are still waiting for.

How can we trust that Premier Rockliff will keep his word and not privatise TAFE?

Premier Rockliff needs to rule out selling off TAFE.

Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for TAFE, Skills & Training