MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): I thank Dr Cumming for raising this question. The provision of post-school education in our suburbs and our regional towns and provision for our rural communities is incredibly important but particularly so in areas where we have high population growth. I can advise the member that the department is looking at the geographical spread of TAFE provision and post-school provision. That work has been ongoing for a period of time, and that work will continue as more data becomes available. I thank her for raising this issue. It is an issue that has got the attention of many people in the outer western suburbs of Melbourne, but equally there are communities in other parts of metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria who are also very supportive of TAFE and indeed very supportive of free TAFE, so thank you again for your question.
Category: Parliament
