TAFE SA

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (15:01): The minister in her response indicated that there were some students who have been contacted because they are enrolled in the course and some who will get further contact because their units of competence are particularly being called into question. Can the minister advise the house how many students were contacted? Was it the 2,500 as originally suggested? How many students fall into the second category who have severe issues over their competence units?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (15:02): I don't necessarily accept the severe issues because that is still being worked through. It's important that we provide information that is accurate, but the first number of students who were contacted was a larger number of students—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert has been offered no provocation. The minister is only providing the house with information and yet he interjects. He is called to order.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: The initial contact was a larger number of students, in the order of 2,500, or possibly even more, in order to make sure that all were captured. They of course will be informed if they are not involved. I didn't complete that sentence entirely, but the ones who are subject potentially to some remedial action will also be informed. As I said, I expect to have clarity on those numbers and also what the consequences are likely to be later this week.