May 21, 2015
The State Government is transferring ownership of TAFE assets back to the Department of Education and Training “to prevent them being sold to the highest bidder”.
The “Queensland Training Asset Management Repeal Bill 2014” is to be introduced to State Parliament.
Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Bill was a significant step in implementing the government’s election promise to restore TAFE Queensland “as the premier provider of vocational education and training in this State”.
Miss D’Ath said abolishing the Queensland Training Asset Management Authority (QTAMA), which had taken control of TAFE assets under the last government, would provide certainty to TAFE Queensland.
She said the former government had legislated that QTAMA would operate commercially, with no requirement for it to prioritise the interests of TAFE Queensland.
“By ensuring TAFE Queensland has priority access to our training assets we are facilitating an environment in which TAFE can thrive rather than being forced to compete for the use of its own facilities,” Miss D’Ath said.
Ms D’Ath said the State Government would develop a 10-year strategic asset plan “to explore options for future use of training assets”.
“The plan will be developed and implemented in consultation with key stakeholders. An audit of all training assets will also be undertaken to support the development of the plan,” she said.
“The plan is expected to be implemented from July 2016.”
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