LABOR’S $1.5 MILLION INVESTMENT IN RICHMOND TAFE

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $1.5 million to provide Richmond TAFE horticultural students with a state-of-the-art computerised glasshouse.

The current 1980s glasshouses are degraded and are expensive to keep maintained and in good repair. The technology is dated.

The costs of keeping up with new technology make it difficult for TAFEs to maintain delivery of critical courses in renewable and sustainable horticulture practice.

Labor will provide funding for the new high-tech glasshouse to ensure specialist horticulture and landscaping skills are not being lost at a time when local major infrastructure projects are creating demand for them.

Labor has a plan to restore TAFE as the foundation skills and training provider across the country and is committed to ensuring at least two thirds of all government funding for vocational education will go to TAFE.

A Shorten Labor Government will provide more than $1 billion in additional investment in TAFE, including:

• $50 million for 10,000 Pre-apprenticeship programs.
• $83 million to support 20,000 adult apprentices.
• $200 million Building TAFE for the Future Fund.
• $380 million for 100,000 TAFE places with no upfront fees.
• $334 million for 150,000 additional Apprentice Incentives.

Labor will also ensure one in every 10 jobs on major Commonwealth and defence projects are filled by an Australian apprentice. We will also conduct a once in a generation inquiry into the post-secondary education system to identify and fix the problems created by the Liberals.

A Shorten Labor Government will also introduce an apprentice advocate who will work across all jurisdictions ensuring, safety, quality training and the well-being of apprentices across the country.

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for better TAFE, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.

After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MAQUARIE MP, SUSAN TEMPLEMAN

From equine, blacksmithing and livestock handling, to ecoskills, landscaping, horticulture and animal care – Richmond TAFE is integral to the Hawkesbury community.

There is such a strong demand for Richmond’s courses and apprentices, and as the only provider of vocational education in the Hawkesbury LGA, this is an incredibly important investment in our region.

This investment will help solidify the Hawkesbury’s place as Sydney’s pri