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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-03-24 Daily Xml
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Tauondi Aboriginal College

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (16:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Kandelaars has the floor.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: I will start the question again. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question regarding Tauondi Aboriginal College.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: The minister has previously talked about the importance of reducing the barriers to participation in education, training and employment faced by Aboriginal people. Can the minister advise the chamber about recent activities at Tauondi Aboriginal College?

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) (16:45): On Thursday 19 March I had the honour, along with minister Maher, of attending the 2014 graduation ceremony at Tauondi Aboriginal College. The South Australian government has a strong and longstanding relationship with the college and, with its strong links with employers providing great employment opportunities for students, Tauondi provides a learning environment and vocational education with excellent outcomes.

One of the most significant factors affecting the employment outcomes of Aboriginal people is educational attainment. Last year 700 Aboriginal students from across South Australia, and from a range of different training providers, undertook training opportunities with 147 of these students completing their training at Tauondi. Training completion rates of Tauondi students are above the 35 per cent national average for all VET students, and 37 per cent of students enrolled in a full qualification in 2013-14 completed their qualification, with 75 per cent of those enrolled in skill set training completing their course.

I would like to congratulate both the college and the students on this significant achievement, as well as the students' families, of course. Without that family support it is often very difficult for students to successfully complete their studies. The key factors that achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal students have been identified as community ownership and involvement; partnerships; flexibility in course design, content and delivery; and student support services. I am pleased to say that Tauondi Aboriginal College's training and education programs include all those attributes.

Tauondi Aboriginal College's reach into regional and remote areas of South Australia is vast. In addition to the metropolitan area, Tauondi delivers training to Aboriginal people in the Far North, Far West, Riverland, Mid North and South-East. The college is well connected to the Aboriginal community throughout the state, as well as to industry through a strong network of employer contacts.

For a student group that we know faces substantial and often multiple barriers to accessing and succeeding in learning, this is certainly a step in the right direction, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the graduating students. They should be very proud, and they have much to be proud of, with a great deal of hard work and effort on their behalf having gone into their successful studies. They have undertaken and completed training, often under very difficult circumstances, and overcome barriers and obstacles that many other students cannot even imagine.

I would also like to acknowledge the families of those students who have, as I said, given support and encouragement to the students and assisted them in their successful completion. Congratulations must be given to Tauondi Aboriginal College, to the lecturing staff, support staff and administrative staff. I understand that all the staff take great pride in going the extra mile, the extra distance, for their students, not just in the formally defined competencies and skills but also by building student trust, confidence and self-esteem through a very close working relationship. I look forward to seeing the continued achievements of Tauondi Aboriginal College into the future.

The PRESIDENT: Can someone wake up the Hon. Mr Brokenshire so he can ask a question? The Hon. Mr Brokenshire.

The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: Thank you, Mr President. Great answers from the ministers to help stimulate me in this house!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

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