MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Last Sunday the Victorian TAFE network marched for the first time at the Midsumma Pride March. Staff and students from across Victoria came together to celebrate diversity and send a strong message that TAFEs are inclusive of every Victorian. You could not miss the contingent, with the fantastic TAFE Victoria rainbow banner, rainbow flags and the TAFE-branded pride T-shirts, and you definitely could not miss our TAFE ambassador, Ms Terpstra, who was in rainbow gear from head to toe. I am proud of the TAFE network for stepping up and organising their own contingent. I want to pay particular tribute to GOTAFE, which led the organisation of the network for the day. This is what TAFE is about. Every Victorian, regardless of their background, is welcome at a TAFE. We still have more work to do to make our TAFEs even more inclusive and welcoming, but having the TAFE network marching at Pride is such an important signal of their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
We have also seen TAFEs step up in other ways to ensure they are LGBTIQ+ friendly environments. Chisholm TAFE proudly celebrates and hosts events for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. GOTAFE were the first TAFE in Victoria to fly the rainbow flag at their campus throughout the year. These are just two examples. Building more inclusive TAFEs and Learn Locals is a critical priority of the new Victorian LGBTIQ+ strategy. We are not wasting any time to deliver that. Equality is not negotiable in Victoria, and it is not negotiable at our TAFEs.
