Coronavirus

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:08): My question is to the Premier. Why is TAFE still undertaking face-to-face teaching in circumstances where they are unable to create the spatial distancing recommended by health authorities?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:08): I thank the member for her question. It was raised with me by the union yesterday. I understand that the board is preparing, or may have prepared earlier today, some advice that I am expecting to receive very soon to consider some of the challenges the member raises.

Much of TAFE's work going forward I would anticipate moving to an online setting. Of course, this is something that TAFE has been working towards for some time to meet the workforce expectation, the expectation of businesses and indeed students to be able to undertake study in a flexible manner. Of course, it doesn't always suit a TAFE student, an apprentice or a trainee to undertake their instruction in a traditional TAFE lecture theatre or classroom. So TAFE has been working up this capability.

Certainly, in the time that I have been in the ministry and working with TAFE, I have seen them develop it at pace. It also assists with some efficiencies. The capacity is significant there and I think this year we will see it radically ramped up, potentially in the very near future. I await the opportunity to read in detail the advice that has been prepared in recent hours for me. I hope to see that soon.

The challenges in some circumstances within the TAFE offering—I won't take the four minutes, so if the clock is not going I promise this answer is nearly over and you can do the next one—for some courses are more difficult than others. For example, I know one that was raised with me was in relation to TAFE's offering of teaching English as a second language or English to refugees and migrants to Australia. That is, I am sure, one of the issues that will be raised with me in the advice that I will hopefully receive very soon, if my office hasn't already received it.