TAFE SA

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:57): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General representing the Minister for Education, Training and Skills about TAFE.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: A media report today reveals that TAFE is looking for a new debt collector to recover debts owed by its clients, including local and international students, companies, organisations, sole traders and small partnerships. The winning tender would be expected to handle 320 debtors a month to the value of about $220,000, although there is no indication on the length of the contract.

One of the tender conditions is that the appointed debt collector must not instigate any legal action but initiate 'pre-legal action', which appears to resemble a form of subtle harassment like doorknocking, emails and making phone calls and SMS demands. My question to the responsible minister is:

1. Can he provide the level of debt currently owed to TAFE by its clients and also a breakdown of how much has been incurred between the COVID years from 2020 to the present?

2. Can he also provide a list of debts that are owed by local clients and also international clients and, without identifying the debtor, what are the five biggest individual amounts?

3. What specific action and penalties, if any, can the government take and impose to recover moneys from local and international debtors?

4. Is TAFE intending to hike its fees for courses offered to cover these debts?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:59): I thank the honourable member for his questions and I will refer them to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.