Legislative Council: Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Contents

YALATA TAFE CAMPUS

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:06): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Minister for Further Education, questions about the TAFE campus at Yalata on the West Coast of South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: The opposition recently received correspondence from the former operator of the TAFE campus at Yalata, in which she explained the recent termination of her contract on little notice and only a partial payout of her entitlement. She claims that TAFE has decided to adopt a new model for offering TAFE at Yalata. This will now be on a 'project basis'. My questions are:

1. Has there been a change in the model for providing TAFE courses to Aboriginal people on Aboriginal lands in South Australia?

2. Is this being done as a costcutting measure? If so, what is the saving?

3. Will there be further cuts to contract or permanent TAFE staff on the Aboriginal lands? If so, where?

4. What is the department doing to provide ongoing adult education on the Aboriginal lands?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Gambling) (15:07): I thank the member for his questions and will refer them to the relevant minister in another place and bring back a response.