TAFE SA

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question relating to fee-free courses.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: I understand that TAFE does not currently charge a fee for its Diploma of English Proficiency. My questions to the minister are: can the minister assure the council that TAFE will not be imposing a fee for this course, reportedly forecast to be as much as $3,000; and secondly, can the minister advise whether any other TAFE fee-free courses will incur a fee from next year?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his questions. Those questions need to be referred to TAFE SA, who are responsible for setting their own fee structures, independent of government. In relation to any information about their current fees or any future fees, the honourable member—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Maher, it is very disrespectful to talk while your leader is on her feet, giving an answer, so desist. Minister.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: So, Mr President, in relation to any information the honourable member wishes to know about current fees or future TAFE fees, he would need to address those questions to the appropriate organisation, which is TAFE SA.