This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/kevin-rudd-labor-party

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kevin Rudd threatens states with Tafe funding bypass Kevin Rudd threatens states with Tafe funding bypass
(17 days later)
A re-elected Labor government would force the states to maintain and increase their Tafe funding by threatening them with being bypassed by a federal government providing direct funding to institutions or setting up its own national vocational training network.A re-elected Labor government would force the states to maintain and increase their Tafe funding by threatening them with being bypassed by a federal government providing direct funding to institutions or setting up its own national vocational training network.
At the Labor campaign launch on Sunday, Kevin Rudd said Labor had achieved significant reforms in other areas of education but Tafes were “withering on the vine” due to state government cuts.At the Labor campaign launch on Sunday, Kevin Rudd said Labor had achieved significant reforms in other areas of education but Tafes were “withering on the vine” due to state government cuts.
He told states that if they did not meet the the commonwealth’s funding requirements by July 2014, a Labor government would move to fund Tafes directly.He told states that if they did not meet the the commonwealth’s funding requirements by July 2014, a Labor government would move to fund Tafes directly.
“If state governments frustrate this ambition, then from 2015 the Australian government will begin directing its own Tafe funding into a new Tafe Australia Network directly funded by the commonwealth,” Rudd said.“If state governments frustrate this ambition, then from 2015 the Australian government will begin directing its own Tafe funding into a new Tafe Australia Network directly funded by the commonwealth,” Rudd said.
It was one of a series of education and training commitments made at the campaign launch, including an increase in tool payments to apprentices, the establishment of jobs and training boards to provide employment services and grants for young people to start a trade.It was one of a series of education and training commitments made at the campaign launch, including an increase in tool payments to apprentices, the establishment of jobs and training boards to provide employment services and grants for young people to start a trade.
Commonwealth annual funding for vocational education and training (VET) had increased by 25% in real terms since Labor came to office in 2007, amounting to more than $19bn, according to Rudd.Commonwealth annual funding for vocational education and training (VET) had increased by 25% in real terms since Labor came to office in 2007, amounting to more than $19bn, according to Rudd.
“Which is why it is worrying to see state governments making Tafe cuts and jacking up fees,” Rudd said.“Which is why it is worrying to see state governments making Tafe cuts and jacking up fees,” Rudd said.
“I will simply not stand idly by and continue to hand over commonwealth funds to state governments to run Tafe colleges while those state governments cut their own Tafe funding.”“I will simply not stand idly by and continue to hand over commonwealth funds to state governments to run Tafe colleges while those state governments cut their own Tafe funding.”
Rudd referred to Tafe cuts made by the states, which included $182m cut from the Victorian 2013-14 budget for higher education and skills and a 6.5% drop in Western Australia’s overall training budget.Rudd referred to Tafe cuts made by the states, which included $182m cut from the Victorian 2013-14 budget for higher education and skills and a 6.5% drop in Western Australia’s overall training budget.
Education, which was a signature portfolio for the former prime minister Julia Gillard, featured highly in the Labor launch. Gillard did not attend.Education, which was a signature portfolio for the former prime minister Julia Gillard, featured highly in the Labor launch. Gillard did not attend.
Rudd said the Labor government had achieved reforms in the areas including early childhood education, schools and universities.Rudd said the Labor government had achieved reforms in the areas including early childhood education, schools and universities.
“There are now more than 190,000 more students at university than there were when we were first elected,” he said.“There are now more than 190,000 more students at university than there were when we were first elected,” he said.
“The one remaining element of the education system that has not been dealt with in our reform program is Tafe.“The one remaining element of the education system that has not been dealt with in our reform program is Tafe.
“Given that the commonwealth’s annual funding for skills and training to the states and territories amounts to $7bn over the budget cycle, properly directed commonwealth funding would in time build a new Tafe Australia network that would rival the great polytechnics of France and Germany,” Rudd said.“Given that the commonwealth’s annual funding for skills and training to the states and territories amounts to $7bn over the budget cycle, properly directed commonwealth funding would in time build a new Tafe Australia network that would rival the great polytechnics of France and Germany,” Rudd said.
Labor has made a feature of vocational training in the campaign. Rudd said Labor had increased the number of apprentices in training by 50,000 during its term in office.Labor has made a feature of vocational training in the campaign. Rudd said Labor had increased the number of apprentices in training by 50,000 during its term in office.
He said the education and skills commitments were important in the Australian economy’s transition out of the China-driven mining boom.He said the education and skills commitments were important in the Australian economy’s transition out of the China-driven mining boom.
The education policy also committed to a job services guarantee to ensure workers received employment services within two business days of losing their job.The education policy also committed to a job services guarantee to ensure workers received employment services within two business days of losing their job.
Labor also promised to increase the tools for your trade payment to around 70,000 apprentices to $6,000 to help buy their first set of tools.Labor also promised to increase the tools for your trade payment to around 70,000 apprentices to $6,000 to help buy their first set of tools.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.