TAFE SA

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): Has the minister ever been briefed on the operational matters that see price rises of some 476 per cent?

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) (14:22): I have said time and time again in this place that the setting of fees is an operational matter and a matter for TAFE. I was made aware of the fee structures that were being put in place, but I was not consulted about that; that would be completely inappropriate. I did receive information about that but, as I said, these are not matters for me to interfere in. The board is an independent statutory authority and is responsible for the day-to-day management decisions of TAFE SA, and they do that extremely well.