The NSW Labor Opposition is seeking a guarantee on the future of Macquarie Fields TAFE, after the Liberal-National Government refused to rule out privatisation, cutting courses, closing campuses and increasing fees.

Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE Jihad Dib and Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong MP visited Macquarie Fields TAFE and launched a Parliamentary petition, seeking assurances from the Liberal/National Government that the campus will not be the next item targeted for sell-off. 

Labor Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE Jihad Dib said: “The Liberals and Nationals have refused to give a guarantee on TAFE. Meanwhile, they continue to slash courses, hike fees and cut teaching staff.

“The Liberal Government’s agenda is clear – they want to privatise TAFE by stealth. We’ve now got a situation where there are 175,000 fewer students and 5,500 fewer staff in TAFE, leading to less courses being offered. As a community we need to save TAFE before it’s too late.”

Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong MP said: “Investment in TAFE is an investment in jobs for south west Sydney. The Liberal Government’s cuts to TAFE are shameful and they should come clean on its plans for TAFE.

“At a time when our community is experiencing rapid population growth, we need more TAFE places and more money invested into TAFE to provide the training and skills for our workforce now and into the future. We must rebuild TAFE, not destroy it.”