Greens MP John Kaye says the Council of Australian Governments discussion paper reveals a plan to abandon $4 billion in guaranteed funding for TAFE and instead force it to compete against the private sector.
"The future of skills formation in Australia is at risk. This is a lousy time to be doing this," he said.
"On the cusp of a global recession and with a skills shortage this is no time to be experimenting with market-based solutions to making sure we solve the skills crisis."
Dr Kaye says the documents show the plan is alive at the highest levels.
"The state Premiers and Prime Minister are colluding in secret to push through one of Australia's biggest privatisations since Telstra," he said.
"About $4 billion a year currently provided by state and federal governments to TAFE colleges is about to be taken away and put out to competitive tender."
The Australian Education Union federal president, Angelo Gavrielatos, said proposals to force TAFE to compete with low-quality private training facilities for all funding would undermine its ability to provide community services such as quality low-cost training and libraries.
"Recent global events show how dangerous it is to hand crucial parts of the economy like education and training over to an unfettered market," said Mr Gavrielatos.
download Blue Mountains Union News Oct 2008
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