MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): Today I am very pleased to advise the chamber that Victoria will host the 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Championships. WorldSkills is the nation’s largest trades and skills competition and gives hundreds of apprentices, trainees and students the chance to showcase their talents across…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:34): I also add my voice in thanking all of the staff here at Parliament and back in our electorate offices for the work that they do day in and day out. I would encourage anyone that is listening that has not actually…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: Last week I had great pleasure in joining the member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, in making an important announcement in Bannockburn that will make such a difference for the community and especially for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I would like to highlight another outstanding development in the support of TAFE students and regional communities that occurred last week at TAFE Gippsland, Lakes Entrance. This campus is home to a state-of-the-art marine research and education centre. It focuses on providing training…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:59): Recently I visited the Chisholm TAFE campus in Dandenong, where I was joined by the great member for Dandenong and a great minister, Gabrielle Williams, to open the new trade centre and student support hub, thanks to a $7.4 million investment by the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:43): This is the most significant reform to financial assistance for victims of crime in over 50 years. I will detail responses to many of the matters that have been raised; however, it is important to note that the government will work with victim-survivors…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28): Today is an important day, National Sorry Day, a day when we acknowledge the strength of stolen generations survivors. It is a day to ensure that we never lose sight of the importance of healing, focusing on strong future and the significance…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:19): I thank members for their contributions on this bill so far, which will support Victoria’s agriculture industry and help safeguard food security, food safety and access to export markets which are vital to the state’s economy. Ms Bath discussed some questions which have…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: This week Portarlington Demons Football Netball Club are hosting their inaugural Indigenous round, during National Reconciliation Week 2022. The AFL of course celebrates a Dreamtime round each year, where players wear unique jumpers and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I am incredibly proud to update the chamber on the important role that Apprenticeships Victoria plays in supporting apprentices and trainees to achieve qualifications that are a career passport for life. This government is absolutely committed to ensuring that apprentices and trainees…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:57): This week is Education Week, and I am proud that the Andrews Labor government has committed to access and inclusion in education, training and skills. Last week it was my privilege to attend RMIT to announce the diploma of Auslan and the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05): Last week I was proud to announce more than $1 million to be awarded by the Regional and Specialist Training Fund to Victoria University’s policing recruitment pathways course. This important investment builds on the extremely successful Victoria Police diversity recruitment program which supports…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: Recently, I had the great pleasure to officially open the new Garvoc community hub. This wonderful centre was built to replace the old Garvoc hall, which did not meet the modern-day needs of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Swan Hill, where I met students, teachers and staff at Murray Adult Community Education, who deliver training to Swan Hill locals and the broader regional community. I was really impressed with what I saw…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I recently had the pleasure of travelling to Swan Hill, where I met students, teachers and staff at Murray Adult Community Education, who deliver training to Swan Hill locals and the broader regional community. I was really impressed with what I saw…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:46): Today I rise to pay tribute to Professor Peter Noonan, whose leadership in policy design in the higher education, training and skills system led the way for transformational reforms in Australia. His commitment and sharp insights always put the student at the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): As Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education I am focused on ensuring that universities and the VET sector work in unison to deliver the research to create new industries and provide the highest quality training in skills to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04:214:): Today I am proud to advise the house of the leadership taken by Victorian universities in research and development. This has been made possible by the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. Today I announced $17 million of funding to support 12 Victorian…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: On another note, how fantastic it is to see leadership from young women like Terang’s Sophie Molan, who has joined her family business to work in quarries driving 50 tonnes of earthmoving machinery.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: It is with great pleasure that I rise today to congratulate Geelong’s Back to Back Theatre for an outstanding accomplishment on the world stage, winning the International Ibsen Award. Back to Back’s ensemble…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05): I am pleased to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is building world-class training facilities in Geelong. Last week it was great to announce a $2 million investment at the Gordon’s East Geelong campus to build new plumbing and carpentry workshops.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:06): Yesterday the results of Universities Australia’s 2021 National Student Safety Survey were released. It is deeply concerning and an indictment on our society that sexual harassment and gender discrimination still occur at universities throughout Australia. The results reinforce the distressing fact that students,…
MS 23TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:18): I am incredibly proud to update the chamber on how TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell campus is better than it has ever been because of the investments made by the Andrews Labor government. Our government is absolutely determined to give Gippsland locals access to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: I’m very pleased to report that last week I visited a fantastic example of a modern, inclusive educational precinct—Maryborough Education Centre—that is testimony to the priority that Labor governments have always given to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:59): I thank members for their contributions today and indeed during the previous parliamentary sitting on this important legislation. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, which recommended the measures in this legislation in their report…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:10:070:): Today I rise to talk about the Andrews Labor government’s positive plan in providing more opportunities to support Victorians to get the skills they need for the jobs that we are creating. On Sunday I was pleased to join the Premier and the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:46): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: Introduction The management of Victoria’s 7.8 million hectares of public native forests and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:45): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: In April 2020, the Government introduced reforms aimed at ensuring the justice…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): One of the fastest growing sectors in Victoria is the healthcare and social services sector. It is Australia’s largest employing industry, with nearly four in five workers being women. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on this industry. We on this…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: Last week I attended the funeral of Jack Diamond, and today I rise to pay tribute to Jack, who was a champion of public education and made an enormous public contribution to improving…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:26): As I am sure everyone in this chamber knows, a great teacher can change lives. In the TAFE network we have incredibly dedicated and passionate teachers who share their industry expertise and skills every day. I am grateful to every single TAFE…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (19:21): I thank Ms Taylor for her introduction in terms of the government’s position in respect of this. The introduction of the new Victoria Police Act 2013 changed the powers of deputy commissioners to appoint acting assistant commissioners. However, in practice Victoria Police continued…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (19:10): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: The Bill before the House introduces urgent amendments into the Victoria Police…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:56): Today I rise to highlight the important role the post-secondary education and training system plays as a key driver to achieve gender equality in our society. TAFEs, Apprenticeships Victoria, Learn Locals and universities are instrumental in shifting cultural and societal change, and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:11): I thank members for their contributions today and look forward to seeing this legislation progress. This is important reform. It was a commitment of the Andrews Labor government prior to the 2018 election, and it is pleasing to see yet another commitment…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:09): I rise today to highlight how Apprenticeships Victoria is leading a renaissance for skills and training in Victoria. Since its establishment in late 2020 Apprenticeships Victoria has put in place high-quality career pathways and has set new benchmarks for earn-and-learn opportunities for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): Last week I was proud to announce the Victorian government’s expansion of the asylum seeker VET and Reconnect programs, which is a $6 million investment from the 2021–22 Victorian budget. These programs ensure people seeking asylum can access training and support in Victoria…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:02): Last week it was fantastic to be in the south-west to celebrate the completion of upgrades at Glenormiston. This is the government that reopened Glenormiston, and it is this government that committed $2 million at the last election to upgrade facilities. The fantastic…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: I rise today to inform the house of a wonderful experience I had recently, spending time at Terang’s Commercial Hotel—an emerging creative hub in the south-west. The hotel itself is a heritage site—the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:12): I am pleased to update the chamber on how the Andrews Labor government is making record investments in TAFE and making it the best it has ever been. Late last year the Premier and I visited William Angliss Institute to announce an…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17): Recently I was joined by parliamentary secretary Cesar Melhem to celebrate the achievements, resilience and commitment of students, teachers, trainers and industry partners in the Learn Local sector. It was a wonderful gathering of exceptional people. All have worked together in these…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Last Sunday the Victorian TAFE network marched for the first time at the Midsumma Pride March. Staff and students from across Victoria came together to celebrate diversity and send a strong message that TAFEs are inclusive of every Victorian. You could not…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September 2021: I rise today to express Western Victoria’s pride in the 30 residents who received Australia Day honours. Foremost among them are Eve Kantor and Mark Wootton of Hensley Park, who became Officers of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:25): Last week I was pleased to visit Swinburne University of Technology’s Hawthorn campus with my Legislative Council colleagues Nina Taylor, Sonja Terpstra and Enver Erdogan and local member for Hawthorn John Kennedy MP to announce the Andrews Labor government’s $5.2 million contribution to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): On the final sitting day of Parliament this year I am proud to rise to speak on the significant opportunities that have been created by the TAFE demonstration projects, which are delivering brilliant apprenticeship and training opportunities at the South West TAFE learning…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:16): On Monday morning I had the great pleasure to officially open the shared space community centre at Olivine Place, Donnybrook, the first-ever growth area social planning tool partnership in Australia. Olivine Place is such an amazing place. I would encourage anyone to go…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:41): I am very pleased to share with the chamber that the Andrews Labor government has reached an in-principle agreement with Swinburne University to purchase the Prahran campus. Prahran has a rich TAFE history. Starting with the Prahran Mechanics Institute, it soon became…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September: The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are presented annually as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, and I’m really pleased that two constituents from south-western Victoria were recognised this year. Uncle Locky Eccles…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:42): In my contribution I will be brief. I want to begin by thanking all that have contributed to this debate this morning for their support for this important bill. As we know, the stigma around mental health has been with us for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28): The Australian Training Awards were held last night, and Victoria once again made its mark by winning a number of categories. I am really pleased to advise the chamber that Victoria’s TAFE network has won Large Training Provider of the Year for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): I rise to update the chamber on the progress of Kangan TAFE’s new Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows. I am incredibly proud that the Andrews Labor government is investing $60 million to deliver a better TAFE campus in Broadmeadows. It…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Bevan Hirst is a fourth-year medical student at Deakin University in Geelong. He recently signed up to our frontline workforce to help get more jabs in Victorian arms. Nearly 600 Victorian university students just like Bevan have signed up since we announced a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September: I was honoured to attend Portarlington’s Remembrance Day ceremony and pleased to have my staff attend services in other beautiful and diverse locations, like the Point Danger memorial wall in Torquay, and in Ballarat,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): Our environment matters, and we want to secure its future for generations to come. That is why I was proud to announce an $11 million investment to help Monash University slash its emissions to net zero by 2030. It will form part of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September: Today I rise to reflect on the important work of Dementia Australia, the peak body of people living with dementia, their families and carers. Its recent findings, that a dementia diagnosis results in discrimination,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I use this opportunity to update the house on cybersecurity courses. Building opportunities and supporting partnerships between TAFEs, universities and industry remain a dedicated focus of the Andrews Labor government. Cybersecurity was identified as a major priority of this government, and that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:55): Recently the Victorian government held the 67th annual Victorian Training Awards. People from right through Victoria joined us online to celebrate our world-class training system. Today I would like to highlight the achievements of our students and apprentices who were recognised at…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:09): Can I start by endorsing the comments that Mr Barton has just put on the record. I thank you for your contribution. I also thank all of our Victorian teachers and VET trainers that we have in the system that work day in…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:11): I am pleased to update the chamber on the work underway to revive Aboriginal languages across Victoria. Preserving and reviving Aboriginal languages should be core business for any government. We cannot change the past, but we can work hard to right the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:21): Today I am proud to speak on the Victorian Skills Authority, which was established in July to build on this government’s significant achievements in skills and training and job creation. The VSA was a key recommendation of the Skills for Victoria’s Growing…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (22:07): I thank members for their contributions tonight in what is an important debate and for highlighting the importance of firearm safety as well as the benefits of other reforms that the government is wanting to introduce. Members have spoken about the importance…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:03) I thank Mr Meddick for his support of TAFE and free TAFE in particular. It is great to have genuine champions of the TAFE system in the chamber, Mr Meddick. Can I say that what is being proposed here has been based on a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September: Today I rise to pay tribute to two extraordinary women who have contributed so much to the people and communities of Victoria and have sadly passed away: June Bradbury, OAM, 19 June 1964 to 3 September…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:08): Every Victorian should have the chance to get a job that they want, no matter their background, identity or gender. That is why I was proud to launch the $5 million Women in Apprenticeships initiative last week. It will remove barriers for women…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:07): Free TAFE has been an incredible success since its commencement in 2019. So many Victorians have accessed free TAFE since it began—over 93 000 Victorians, in fact. Free TAFE is building the pipeline of skilled workers that we need for our hospitals, for our…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:13): The Andrews Labor government’s investment in research and infrastructure at our universities is significant and unprecedented, not just here in Victoria but also recognised across Australia. Earlier this week you may have heard the University of Sydney’s vice-chancellor express his admiration for the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council of 7 September: I’m very pleased to draw the house’s attention to the achievements of Warrnambool and District Food Share, and to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Dedy Friebe, who has worked tirelessly as executive officer for…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:27): Today I am proud to speak of two trailblazing research projects that are great examples of the kinds of initiatives that will help drive Victoria’s COVID-19 recovery through more jobs, skills and research: the BatTRI-Hub 2.0 at Deakin University’s Burwood campus and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:07): Connecting Victorian jobseekers with opportunities is what this government is all about, and that is what the North East Link Skills and Jobs Centre is achieving. The centre is connecting people to the 10 000 jobs that are available on the North East…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:46): Can I begin by thanking the very many teachers that we have in this great state for their ongoing professionalism and indeed their leadership not just in terms of the school community but in the communities in which they live. And can I…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:08): Today I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the adult community education sector. Adult Learners Week has just taken place, and it puts the spotlight on a sector that changes lives. In Victoria we are dedicated to an education system that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:34): I do thank the member for his question and the opportunity to talk through the position of ambassador for TAFE. Of course I will continue to heavily promote TAFE. I do not think there could be any criticism whatsoever in terms of me…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:25): I am pleased to rise and update the chamber on the fantastic success of free TAFE in getting Victorians into jobs and giving more Victorians access to training. Labor is the party of TAFE. We are the party that invests in TAFE and…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:29): Teachers are important, and that is why the Andrews Labor government recently launched a new TAFE teacher recruitment campaign and TAFE teacher scholarship program. We promised that we would rebuild TAFE, and we have. TAFE enrolments are higher than in our first year…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Incorporated pursuant to order of Council earlier this day: I am so pleased to note that Heywood’s Indigenous war memorial mural is now complete, and that it is being really well received by the south-west Victorian community. This project is all about remembering…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Today I am proud to speak of Respect and Equality in TAFE, a project that I had the privilege to launch last week. At the heart of this project is ‘change the story’, and that is to achieve gender equality and prevent gender-based…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:16): Barwon Heads has shown how a local community can pull together to help each other through the challenges of COVID-19. This small Bellarine village, best known as a holiday destination, showed us the best of community spirit. When a family contracted COVID-19, many…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:36): The Andrews Labor government is making the TAFE and training system better than ever. Now, some people in the chamber have some very short memories, and I would too if I had been part of a party that tried to decimate TAFE. We…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Last Thursday the Minister for Agriculture and I met with the member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, at Western Plains Pork near Rokeford to announce a review into the future of agriculture training in Victoria. Since coming to government we have made important…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:34): I thank members for their contributions in this debate so far, and I take this opportunity to address some of the issues raised by members here and of course in the other place. A number of members have spoken about concerns that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17): This morning it was my pleasure to announce the Andrews Labor government’s $44.6 million investment in RMIT’s CBD north precinct activation project. Through our $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund we are helping universities to realise their longstanding goals, establishing partnerships that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:04): Today I would like to acknowledge the important role of community centres. They are the hub of learning, creativity, friendships and so much more. In late April I spent some time at SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre in Drysdale. Dianne Bennett, president, and Anne…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:32): Today I am proud to rise to speak of the outstanding commitment of our trade teachers and trainers throughout the state. Many trade teachers have been in the VET system for many decades and have witnessed firsthand the changes in training but…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): I am proud to rise to acknowledge the outstanding work of our TAFE teachers and support and administrative staff in seamlessly adapting to online delivery. If last year taught us anything, it is that when a government properly invests in TAFEs they…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37): Today I would like to focus on the important Reconnect program, which the Andrews Labor government established in 2015 to support disadvantaged Victorians to gain access to education, training and skills. Since that time thousands of Victorians have participated in the Reconnect…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): As a society and a community we must work together to achieve cultural change to support survivors of family violence. We must never lose sight of the importance of improving safety and support for people who are leaving violent or abusive relationships.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:55): Coming off the back of volunteer week I was so pleased to see the impact of budget announcements in south-west Victoria. It was great to bring good news to Port Fairy SES volunteers, who have worked long and hard to obtain a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Last week’s budget continues our work to make Victoria’s TAFE and training system better than it has ever been. I have already taken the chamber through a number of initiatives in this year’s budget, but I am excited to share a few…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:54): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: Support for zero and low emission vehicles in transitioning to a low-carbon…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:39): Since 2011 the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll has recognised Aboriginal Victorians past and present who have made outstanding contributions to our state, and I am proud to advise that one-quarter of the 130 people on the roll are from the electorate of Western…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:53): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: In October last year I was pleased to introduce the Transport Legislation Amendment…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:51): I move: That the second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard. Motion agreed to. Ms TIERNEY: I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Incorporated speech as follows: Introduction Non-emergency patient transport sector and commercial first aid providers play an…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Today is an exciting day for TAFE and training in Victoria, a day when this government takes the next step to make TAFE and training better than ever. When we came to government, the training system was absolutely— Members interjecting. Ms Shing:…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Yesterday the TAFE network’s annual reports were tabled. As always, I am always in awe of the work of our TAFEs. They deliver for our local communities across the state and in doing so give Victorians high-quality training for the jobs that we…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:43): On 30 March I joined the Acting Premier, my good friend Ms Watt, employers, unions and many apprentices at the metro launch of Apprenticeships Victoria. Apprenticeships Victoria is a new division of the Department of Education and Training. It will help support thousands of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:30): 2020 was a year like no other. Bushfires devastated many regional communities, only to be followed by the COVID pandemic. The communities of the Alpine and surrounding regions rallied together, where strength, courage and compassion came to the fore. In Bright today…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): Today I am proud to speak of Respect and Equality in TAFE, a project that I had the privilege to launch last week. At the heart of this project is ‘change the story’, and that is to achieve gender equality and prevent gender-based…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:27): Last week I was in Warrnambool to announce the construction of the state-of-the-art learning and library hub at South West TAFE as part of the Big Build apprenticeship program. The learning and library hub is an investment that will benefit all community…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I thank Dr Bach for his new interest in TAFE and the TAFE system. Members interjecting. Ms TIERNEY: Are we done? We are very supportive of TAFE. As you know, we have made record investments into the TAFE system, and of course our…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:21): Next week we celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, which coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians make significant contributions to our society. It is our commitment to enhance capacity and build opportunities via…