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…
MS TIERNEY: On another note, I would like to congratulate nine high-achieving Western Victorian students who have received $5000 in education scholarships over the final two years of their senior secondary education. This program started in 2019 and recognises students who show high potential to succeed in their chosen pathway and who have strong results…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:55): Last week I joined two school communities in celebrating fantastic upgrades to their buildings and facilities. Brauer College in Warrnambool and Mortlake College P–12 can now experience an up-to-date education environment. $4.4 million has enabled Brauer to move to excellent new specialist spaces…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:51): The Andrews Labor government’s $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund continues to provide much-needed stimulus to Victoria’s universities as they respond to the challenges of COVID-19. Last week I joined Darren Cheeseman, the member for South Barwon, at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:29): 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: Victoria is widely regarded as having the best planning framework in Australia. This…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:38): I rise today to congratulate volunteers working with three wetland projects in south-west Victoria—BirdLife Australia, the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network and the Nature Glenelg Trust—each receiving a $20 000 grant as part of the Volunteering Innovation Fund, which is part of Victoria’s Great…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:21): Teachers know that some of their students will experience mental health issues during their school career, and many of those young people will need expert assistance to help them to be well enough to focus on learning. Early mental health intervention is…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:07): Today I draw the house’s attention to good news for schools in western Victoria. Mortlake P–12 joins Hamilton’s Baimbridge College and Murtoa College in a new tri-school partnership, which has been granted $40 000 to work together to significantly broaden the VCE curriculum.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:39:019:): Two weeks ago I joined Minister D’Ambrosio and Steve Dimopoulos in Clayton to announce the Andrews government’s $10 million investment in the Victorian Hydrogen Hub. This grant, which was awarded to Swinburne University of Technology, is the government’s latest investment in the university…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): I rise today to discuss this government’s commitment to apprentices and the value of an apprenticeship. Members will be aware that in this year’s budget we are investing over $33 million in the Big Build apprenticeship program and almost $20 million in growing apprenticeships.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (14:13): I am pleased to rise and speak on the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020. It is a bill that should remind us all of how what we do in this place can actually make a big difference to people’s lives.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:15): In 2016 the Andrews Labor government proudly released Marrung, our 10-year Aboriginal education plan. Marrung’s vision is simple. We want a state where every Koori person achieves their potential, succeeds in life and feels strong in their cultural identity. We want Koori…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:19): 2020 was a tough year for our music industry, with many festivals and programs disrupted. In January I was pleased to be able to tell some of my constituents that they had received a really significant boost of over $155 000 for local…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:09): I am pleased today to rise and update the house on the Skills for Victoria’s Growing Economy review. As members will know, this is a major review commissioned by the government to reform and revitalise our post-secondary education and training system to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:23): We know Victorian universities have been hit hard by the fallout of COVID. We also know what a critical role Victorian universities play in our economy and communities. That is why the Andrews government has established the $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education): 2020 has been an astonishing and challenging year, with events that none of us could have foreseen, and Western Victoria has experienced it all, from bushfires last summer through to the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and even floods in the far south-west in spring.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08): I rise today to discuss this government’s commitment to apprentices and the value of an apprenticeship. Members will be aware that in this year’s budget we are investing over $33 million in the Big Build apprenticeship program and almost $20 million in growing apprenticeships.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:28): On Friday the Treasurer and I announced the first grant under the Victorian government’s $350 million Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. As we said when we launched the fund, this unprecedented level of support for universities will be used to support capital…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:15): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: Opening paragraphs In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, (the Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (21:13): Members would be aware that international flights resumed to this state yesterday. Members are well aware that there has been a reset in terms of hotel quarantine. Members would be aware that there has been an inquiry. Members would be aware that…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I am pleased to share with the house the role that free TAFE will play in Victoria’s economic and social recovery. We have all seen the success of free TAFE since it began in 2019—significant increases in enrolments in priority courses, significant…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:41): I move:
That the bill be now read a first time.
Motion agreed to.
Read first time.
Ms TIERNEY: I move, by leave:
That the second reading be taken forthwith.
Motion agreed to.
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:42): 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: This Bill gives effect to Budget measures that will deliver important support…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:00): I thank the member for his question. I am troubled by the cuts at universities in Victoria, whether they be course cuts or to funding to different organisations on campus and indeed of course staff cuts as well. Course cuts reduce the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Again I thank the member for his question. What I did in my substantive response was outline where the responsibilities lie in relation to the state and the commonwealth. What my question to you and your party is: what are you going…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:11): As our state recovers stronger and fairer, the Andrews Labor government is making sure every Victorian has the support they need to get back to work. Thanks to a billion-dollar boost TAFE will be at the heart of our economic recovery, and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Last Friday was the Australian Training Awards. I’m constantly impressed by the calibre of talent and achievement in Victoria, and this was very much on display at the national awards. And for the fifth year in a row, Victoria has taken out the Large…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:26): Last week I had the opportunity to visit Yulong farm near Cavendish to see the progress on the Andrews Labor government’s investment in the shearing industry. As part of our $1.2 million investment, a new shearing app has been created to complement hands-on…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Last week there was great news for communities in the vicinity of the Great Ocean Road, in the south-west of my electorate. I was so pleased to be at Eastern View’s Memorial Arch for the announcement of a fantastic investment of $272.2 million…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): I rise today to update the house on the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Australia’s universities. That is why in May the Treasurer and I established a $350 million higher education state investment…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:41): This week is NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, recognising that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65 000 years. I think it is fitting during NAIDOC Week to share with the chamber…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:04): I, like others, would like to acknowledge the very heartfelt contributions that this chamber has seen today and thank all of the members for their research and the conversations that they have had leading up to today. Can I also pay specific…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) Woodford Primary is a wonderful school just north of Warrnambool. Its students are a mix of those living in Woodford itself, from nearby rural communities and a number travelling from Warrnambool. The school’s website makes it clear that this school does deliver on a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05): I rise to recognise and applaud the work of Victoria’s teachers as we mark today World Teachers Day 2020. In particular I would like to recognise staff in the VET, Learn Local and higher education sectors across all fields and thank teachers, trainers,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:27): This week I announced the Learn Local Awards finalists for 2020, and it was great to make this announcement with the member for Lara, John Eren, at the Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, which is a finalist in the Volunteer Team Award. Rosewall have…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:24): I would like to begin by thanking members for their contributions on the Worker Screening Bill 2020. This is a bill that will give effect to Victoria’s commitment to the Intergovernmental Agreement on Nationally Consistent Worker Screening for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): I am pleased to update the chamber on the important work that the Andrews Labor government has been doing to make Victoria’s TAFE system more inclusive and accessible to Victorians with a disability. We know that education and training open doors into…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) In mid-October I had the absolute pleasure to announce some really exciting news to three schools in the State’s south-west—Hampden Specialist School, Terang College and Colac Specialist School. The Andrews Labor government is especially proud of its record in progressively upgrading schools for…
TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:44): I rise today to celebrate the commencement of the 2020 Victorian Training Awards. Of course this year’s awards are looking a little different, being presented as an online series rather than a gala event, but that does not change the importance of these…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:37): I rise to update the chamber on how free TAFE is helping to provide a skilled pipeline of workers that we need now and in the economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. As this house knows, free TAFE has been incredibly successful.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:18): As members of this chamber know, Victoria is the TAFE capital of Australia, and it is the TAFE capital because of the Andrews Labor government’s investment in the system since coming to office. Backing our TAFEs is not just funding courses but…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (10:13): The memorial park at the foot of pier 10 honours and remembers 35 men who lost their lives when the West Gate Bridge collapsed during construction. Today is the 50th anniversary of that terrible industrial disaster where 88 children lost their fathers. Each year there is…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I rise today to highlight the importance of the fishing industry to Victoria’s economy, and in particular the role of Portland in Victoria’s south-west. Portland’s fishing fleet lands up to 40 per cent of Victoria’s catch. It goes without saying that fishing and aquaculture…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:47): Last week I announced that the expansion of the Skills First Reconnect program was about to take place. It provides tailored, one-on-one support for Victorians who want to study at TAFE or a Learn Local but face challenges that make it more…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) In the 1830s a terrible event occurred near Portland, at a coastal area known as the ‘Convincing Ground’. European whalers, in advance of the wave of squatters who took over much of Western Victoria’s land, brutally wiped out almost all of the Kilcarrer…