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) (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…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:25): I am really pleased to share with the chamber the critical work that the Adult Multicultural Education Services is doing to ensure our culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians do not fall through the cracks during the pandemic. Victoria has a proud history…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:07): This week is an important milestone in the government’s commitment to make TAFE better than ever. On Sunday I announced $55 million worth of TAFE maintenance projects—projects at standalone TAFEs across Victoria—and the list of projects is really exciting. At TAFE Gippsland the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:19): Our regional TAFEs are making a real difference in their communities. Free TAFE is a game changer across the state, and with significant capital works projects well underway in many regional TAFEs, it is even more exciting for them. On top of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I rise today to note the value of the Working for Victoria Fund in easing the devastating effect of job loss that is a direct result of COVID-19. I’m heartened to see the cooperation between regional shire councils and organisations like catchment management…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:43): Today marks the start of Adult Learners Week. Adult Learners Week is an annual celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning. This year’s theme is ‘Renew you’, highlighting the power of learning as a tool for improving lives and creating new opportunities.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I’d like to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s community sport sector COVID-19 survival package. Local sport clubs are close to the heart of regional communities as they provide fun, fitness and social connection. We need local clubs to survive the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) I am pleased to update the house on some fantastic support the Andrews Labor government is giving to Mortlake P–12 College that will set their students and community up for recovery after the COVID pandemic has passed. For the first time this year…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:00): I thank the member for his question. Apprenticeships are incredibly important, and we know that right across the board. This has been the case and a very proud contribution that this government has made in respect to apprenticeships, and during my time…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:04): Can I just correct the record? The fact of the matter is that the most recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research report shows that in the year to December 2019 there was a 7.3 per cent increase in construction trade apprenticeship completions…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (15:45): I am pleased to provide a summation from the government’s side. This bill is about delivering access to justice for ordinary Victorians by making it easier to bring class actions for things like silicosis, wage theft, consumer harm and other forms of…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:46): I move: That the bill be now read a third time. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is: That the bill be now read a third time and do pass. House divided on question: The PRESIDENT: Pursuant to standing order 14.27, the bill will be…
Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:24): This week is Refugee Week. Originally celebrated in 1986, the week coincides with World Refugee Day on 20 June each year. This year’s theme is celebrating the Year of Welcome, and I think we can all be proud in this chamber that Victoria has…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:48): I rise to update the house on the critical work of the Andrews Labor government in opening a brand-new state-of-the-art campus at TAFE Gippsland’s port of Sale site. I recently unveiled the new designs for the TAFE Gippsland port of Sale campus,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:00): I am really pleased to update the house on how the Andrews Labor Government is supporting people who have been in out-of-home care to access education and training. Care leavers are significantly less likely to access university after leaving school. For too…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (20:08): From what I have heard of this debate this afternoon and this evening, the opponents of this bill, rather than tackle the substance of the issues, have sought to prosecute and will prosecute an amendment that will delay the introduction of this…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (23:08): I move: That the bill be now read a third time. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is: That the bill be now read a third time and do pass. House divided on question: The PRESIDENT: Pursuant to standing order 14.27, the bill…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:11): Can I begin by acknowledging the families and friends of the victims whose lives have been dramatically changed as a result of their connection with the crimes that we will be talking about today, and I do extend my best wishes and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:29): I move:
That the bill be now read a third time.
Motion agreed to.
Read third time.
The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Pursuant to standing order 14.24, the bill will be transmitted to the Assembly with a message requesting their agreement.
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:24): On 15 May I announced the retrenched apprentices and trainees program, a collaboration between the Victorian government and the Apprenticeship Employment Network, the peak body of group training organisations here in Victoria. History tells us that at times like these, hard economic times,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:02): 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: I’d like to start by taking an opportunity to thank those people,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:03): 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) (18:04): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: 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 to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:04): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: 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 to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:04): 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 purpose of this Bill is to amend: 1. The Petroleum Act 1998…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:05): 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) (18:05): I lay on the table a statement of compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006: In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Charter), I make this Statement of Compatibility with respect to the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (18:05): I move, by leave: 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 will deliver on the Victorian Government’s commitment to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:11): Can I begin by acknowledging the families and friends of the victims whose lives have been dramatically changed as a result of their connection with the crimes that we will be talking about today, and I do extend my best wishes and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:40): I rise today to pay tribute to the residents of Western Victoria for managing an unprecedented time in education across both the state school system and the independent school system. This time of COVID-19 has certainly given new meaning to the concept…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:30): The fact of the matter is that we have started traversing this. As I mentioned previously in response to a question by Mr Rich-Phillips, the Treasurer and I made an announcement on 19 May in respect of universities and assistance that will hopefully mitigate…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:56): It was just over two years ago that our government first announced the free TAFE for priority courses initiative. The initiative was rolled out for its first year in 2019. Everyone on this side of the house backed free TAFE every step…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:38): I rise to acknowledge the passing of a former member for Melbourne Province and good friend, Doug Walpole. Doug’s contribution to working people and progressive politics is well recognised across the labour movement, initially through his time as an Electrical Trades Union…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:23): Last week I had the opportunity to visit the new facilities of Southern Grampians Adult Education, located at the South West TAFE campus in Warrnambool. SGAE is a Learn Local provider. They deliver education and training programs for so many in the…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:38): I rise to update the house on the brand-new GOTAFE Wallan campus, which I had the pleasure of opening last week. There was an absolute buzz in these new facilities, as I was joined by my parliamentary colleagues Minister Jac Symes and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:57): I rise to update the house on the work being done in our training and skills system in response to the coronavirus. As the Premier has said, the coming weeks and months will be tough on everyone. It will be tough on…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:31): I rise today to congratulate Wannon Water for its fantastic carbon neutrality action plan, which is delivering an Australian first in Portland. By investing $4.2 million in a 50-metre-high wind turbine that will reduce carbon emissions by an average of 2500 tonnes a year,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07): Last week I had the pleasure of attending the first graduation of the certificate III in learning an endangered Aboriginal language. This Victorian-first course started in 2018 and continued throughout 2019. The certificate gives students the understanding, skills and resources to build up…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:17): I rise today to congratulate two organisations that are doing a fantastic job in extending creative opportunities in south-west Victoria. Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery at Cororooke has received $75 000 to create a space for workshops, rehearsals and performance plus a…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:45): I rise to share that Wodonga TAFE was recently awarded the Australian Defence Force driver machinery and plant training services contract at the army school of transport at Puckapunyal. This is an outstanding achievement for a TAFE. The contract spans up to…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:27): Last week was an important milestone for Melbourne’s west. I had the pleasure of joining Legislative Council colleagues Ingrid Stitt and Cesar Melhem, along with the member for St Albans, Natalie Suleyman, in the other place, to officially open Victoria University Polytechnic’s Sunshine…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:15): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to note that 28 Western Victoria constituents have been recognised with Australia Day awards. Three became AMs—members of the Order of Australia—20 were awarded Medals of the Order of Australia, two received Australian Fire…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (09:53:38): I rise today to reflect on the contribution to regional Victoria, and especially western Victoria, made by Geoff Handbury, PhD, AO. Mr Handbury died this week, aged 94, after a lifetime supporting the community at a local, regional, state and even national level.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:28:38): Last Thursday I had the opportunity to attend the Australian Training Awards. The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for the vocational education and training sector, and again this year Victorian TAFEs did not disappoint. For the fourth year in…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:37:55): Like so many other people in the chamber today I also have a deep personal association with this issue. The first time I knew of workplace deaths, I think, was from stories that my great-grandmother and my grandmother told me about what…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:22:58): Last Sunday marked the year anniversary of the re-elected Andrews Labor government. The gift of government is something we do not take for granted, and we have not wasted a day since. We have continued our proud record of building an education…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (17:50:20): I will try to be fairly quick with this, in responding to comments that have been made. In addressing this matter, firstly, I wish to indicate that I do have some answers to a number of questions that have been raised. There…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:06:39): Today is a historic day for adult community education in this state. At lunchtime today I will officially launch the ministerial statement on The Future of Adult Community Education in Victoria 2020–25. The ministerial statement will give the sector the acknowledgement and…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (13:08:53): Last night I had the privilege of attending the formal opening of the Geelong Arts Centre, the revitalised and redeveloped facility that was funded by the Andrews Labor government to the tune of $37 million, and it certainly is a great facility.…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:19:41): I thank all the members who have contributed to this debate today and given accounts of what has been occurring in their electorates. In particular Mr Meddick, who shares my electorate, outlined some of the things that our constituents have faced in…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:17:19): What I can advise the house is that when I go around and visit TAFEs, which I do on a very regular basis, people advise me that their classrooms are full and that there is a real emphasis on completing their course…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:14:41): This is sort of a re-run in terms of a matter that was before the media during the winter recess. Clearly the member still has not got the memo, and the memo is this: that the data is two years old. It…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:08:36): I again thank the member for giving me an opportunity to talk about TAFE and free TAFE. I can say that I am a little bit surprised that Ms Wooldridge, who normally conducts herself, I think, in a very, very professional manner,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:05:39): I am aware of the comments made by the shadow minister, Tanya Plibersek, in relation to the underspend. It is very disappointing that that money was not spent in a way that was more targeted in areas where there are government priorities,…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:31:20): I am pleased to rise and inform the house of a new Andrews government initiative announced last week to support free TAFE students to complete their studies. Last Wednesday I joined the member for Nepean, Chris Brayne, at the Chisholm Mornington Peninsula…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:26): I rise to update the chamber on how the reintroduction of trade papers by the Andrews government is rebuilding the status of apprenticeships. Last week I visited Ringwood Training with a member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Sonja Terpstra, who is an absolute…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:33): I thank Dr Cumming for raising this question. The provision of post-school education in our suburbs and our regional towns and provision for our rural communities is incredibly important but particularly so in areas where we have high population growth. I can advise…
MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:35): I thank Dr Cumming for her question again. The area of adult education is incredibly important and it is part of the post-school sector. I have had a lot of engagement in that sector in recent times. I called a summit of…
MS TIERNEY: Taya Davies from Barwon Heads is the 2020 Victoria Young Australian of the Year. Taya works with the Department of Education and Training in the Geelong region in support of disengaged young people of high school age, currently as a coordinator and manager. She brings her social values not only to these programs…