The Federal Government will break a significant election promise should the Australian Technical College in Tasmania close, according to Liberal Senator Guy Barnett.
“In the lead up to the 2007 Federal Election the then Shadow Minister for Education and Training Stephen Smith released the following commitment in a document to ATCs,
‘A Rudd Labor Government has made a commitment not to close any existing Australian Technical Colleges, and to honour all existing contracts.’
“According to leaked documents, the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office made clear they were unable to continue operation of the ATC in Tasmania as early as 21 August 2009,” Senator Barnett said.
“The letter states that,
‘This notice has been provided as soon as the financial picture has become clear, to maximise the time for you to develop an alternative strategy to make use of the excellent facilities of the college as part of the Federal Governments “Education Revolution.”’
“The Federal Government had known about the situation for at least three months.
“The TCCI wrote to the Federal Government of the 24 September 2009 applying to take back the ownership and operation of the ATC. It appears this option was never seriously considered. Why not? It should be.
"Australian Technical Colleges were set up in consultation with industry, ensuring that the needs of business were paramount in the development of curriculum and training of the future workforce of industry.
“The Rudd Government allocated $900,000 to the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office in 2008 when they agreed to take over operation of the ATCs. Catholic Education are not committing to the ATC beyond 2009. Exactly what happened to this money?,” asked Senator Barnett.
“Otherwise, the $900,000 should be reallocated to potential future operators, such as an industry based board.
“The future of an estimated 270 students and 35 staff at the ATC’s campuses in Launceston and Burnie is up in the air. When was Member for Bass Jodie Campbell advised that the Catholic Education Office had withdrawn their support, and what has she done to assure future training options for the 270 students affected?
“Ms Campbell officially launched the ATC in Launceston to much applause but now seems silent as to its future. The Federal Government were officially advised by the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office’s withdrawal of the agreement nearly three months ago. When was Ms Campbell advised and what has she done about it?
“The Australian Technical College is a multi award winning training facility that has an excellent reputation amongst the business community. The Federal Government, over several years, has invested over $26 million on the establishment and operation of the ATC in Tasmania, including $14 million on the establishment of the Launceston and Burnie facilities. Exactly what are the governments doing to secure this investment and provide options to the 270 students and their families,” Senator Barnett concluded.