Mr ADAMSON - 1995-05-23
What progress has been made with the implementation of the new training network and recent changes at Northern Territory University?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there has been excellent progress. Over the past 2 years, we have seen the review and improvement of the accredited training system in the Territory provide great diversity and involve increasing numbers of trainees. Over the last 2 years, there has been an increase of 1810 trainees. Also, there has been greater portability of education across the nation. This new scheme provides a wider choice and more direct ownership by groups, particularly those in remote Aboriginal communities. They will have a greater say in determining their training priorities and how they may be delivered. Already, from my visit to Jabiru last month, I have noted that the training options have doubled and participation has increased enormously in that short time. I am aware that there are similar impacts in other parts of the Territory. The number of private training providers has increased from 14, just 4 years ago, to 64 across the Northern Territory, and I expect that trend to continue.
The review of TAFE in Northern Territory University has seen better integration of vocational education and training programs. In addition, there is the appointment of Mr Prathapan as the new deputy vice chancellor for vocational education. We have a new director of the network for vocational education and training under NTETA, a Mr Terry Clark, who has had 12 years experience in vocational education and training. He has been head of the Centre for Continuing Education and Training in Queensland for the last 3 years. He was involved in the implementation of one of the first competency-based training programs in the country. He is a former lecturer in adult TAFE education and he spent some time at Northern Territory University. The ship is in great shape. It is going from strength to strength. There have been some minor interruptions, as one would expect with any exercise of this kind but, overall, there has been a very smooth transition. It will bring far more meaningful training to Territorians.
Page 585
That is in contrast to the confusion in the training industry over what in the heck Warren Snowdon means by reordering the priorities in the Working Nation program. $1200m has been cut over 3 years from the One Nation commitment, which was to deliver training programs and better employment with the objective of reducing unemployment in this country to the previous target of 5%. One Nation was all about achieving 5% unemployment. The goals have shifted now. Labor should be ashamed of itself.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bailey: Go and put your money where your mouth is.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: The member for Wanguri ought to put his brains where his head is.
The target has shifted now and 8% unemployment is good enough for Labor and Warren Snowdon. Thank goodness it is not good enough in the Territory, where we have much better unemployment statistics and better opportunities for our young people. I challenged the member for Barkly ...
Mr Bell: Talk about the bush, Fred.
Mr FINCH: ... and the member for MacDonnell can join this too because a number of his constituents do not have jobs and they need training programs. They are long-term unemployed who might very well be interested in some of the detail that Warren Snowdon has been very shy about delivering.
Mr Bell: You are the minister for employment in the Territory, yet you have never talked about bush unemployment.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bell: I know you do not like it, Mr Speaker, but it is the truth.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: This new network for vocational education and training is almost entirely about remote and regional areas. It is about the member for MacDonnell's bush constituents.
Mr Bell: They are Territorians too.
Mr FINCH: Exactly - and their needs are being addressed by the CLP government. That is in contrast to the patronising whingeing and whining that comes from members opposite. In my view, the sooner we are rid of Warren Snowdon and Labor in Canberra, the better off all Australians will be, especially Territorians.
Page 586
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there has been excellent progress. Over the past 2 years, we have seen the review and improvement of the accredited training system in the Territory provide great diversity and involve increasing numbers of trainees. Over the last 2 years, there has been an increase of 1810 trainees. Also, there has been greater portability of education across the nation. This new scheme provides a wider choice and more direct ownership by groups, particularly those in remote Aboriginal communities. They will have a greater say in determining their training priorities and how they may be delivered. Already, from my visit to Jabiru last month, I have noted that the training options have doubled and participation has increased enormously in that short time. I am aware that there are similar impacts in other parts of the Territory. The number of private training providers has increased from 14, just 4 years ago, to 64 across the Northern Territory, and I expect that trend to continue.
The review of TAFE in Northern Territory University has seen better integration of vocational education and training programs. In addition, there is the appointment of Mr Prathapan as the new deputy vice chancellor for vocational education. We have a new director of the network for vocational education and training under NTETA, a Mr Terry Clark, who has had 12 years experience in vocational education and training. He has been head of the Centre for Continuing Education and Training in Queensland for the last 3 years. He was involved in the implementation of one of the first competency-based training programs in the country. He is a former lecturer in adult TAFE education and he spent some time at Northern Territory University. The ship is in great shape. It is going from strength to strength. There have been some minor interruptions, as one would expect with any exercise of this kind but, overall, there has been a very smooth transition. It will bring far more meaningful training to Territorians.
Page 585
That is in contrast to the confusion in the training industry over what in the heck Warren Snowdon means by reordering the priorities in the Working Nation program. $1200m has been cut over 3 years from the One Nation commitment, which was to deliver training programs and better employment with the objective of reducing unemployment in this country to the previous target of 5%. One Nation was all about achieving 5% unemployment. The goals have shifted now. Labor should be ashamed of itself.
Members interjecting.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bailey: Go and put your money where your mouth is.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: The member for Wanguri ought to put his brains where his head is.
The target has shifted now and 8% unemployment is good enough for Labor and Warren Snowdon. Thank goodness it is not good enough in the Territory, where we have much better unemployment statistics and better opportunities for our young people. I challenged the member for Barkly ...
Mr Bell: Talk about the bush, Fred.
Mr FINCH: ... and the member for MacDonnell can join this too because a number of his constituents do not have jobs and they need training programs. They are long-term unemployed who might very well be interested in some of the detail that Warren Snowdon has been very shy about delivering.
Mr Bell: You are the minister for employment in the Territory, yet you have never talked about bush unemployment.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Bell: I know you do not like it, Mr Speaker, but it is the truth.
Mr SPEAKER: Order!
Mr FINCH: This new network for vocational education and training is almost entirely about remote and regional areas. It is about the member for MacDonnell's bush constituents.
Mr Bell: They are Territorians too.
Mr FINCH: Exactly - and their needs are being addressed by the CLP government. That is in contrast to the patronising whingeing and whining that comes from members opposite. In my view, the sooner we are rid of Warren Snowdon and Labor in Canberra, the better off all Australians will be, especially Territorians.
Page 586
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016