Alex Greenwich, Independent for Sydney

I met with TAFE Community Alliance members recently to hear their concerns that TAFE is being compromised and undermined by funding cuts and plans to make most funding contestable in 2014. I support the campaign to protect vocational education and training across the State and keep costs low for students, especially second chance education.

Carmel Tebutt

Member of the Legislative Assembly 
Member for Marrickville 
Shadow Minister for Education and Training 
Member of the Australian Labor Party

'People in NSW are rightly proud of TAFE – it plays a key role in tackling skills shortages, training the plumbers, electricians, hairdressers and chefs of the future. It provides educational opportunities for those who have disengaged from education for whatever reason and gives people mid career or re entering the workforce the chance to upgrade their skills.'

Follow this link to see the strong resolution in support of TAFE that is recommended to ALP branches, http://www.nswalp.com/media/blog/alp-blog/june-2013/national-tafe-day-highlights-the-importance-of-taf/

Doug Cameron

Senator for New South Wales 
Australian Labor Party 
Senate 

I’m pleased to support the TAFE Community Alliance. TAFE is an absolute institution in this country. It started the lives, and it saved the lives of many, many, many people, and we need to keep funding it. We can’t simply be an economy, we’ve got to be a society, and TAFE is fundamental to a good society.

Chris Bowen

Member for McMahon, New South Wales 
Australian Labor Party 
House of Representatives 
Whilst Federal Minister for Tertiary Education Chris Bowen said in Parliament on 12 February 2013 that TAFE is at the frontline in skills training which is vital for our economy. He went on to say that all members on his side of the house (the Government) opposed the cuts to vocational education, and gave examples of NSW, Victoria and Queensland cuts to TAFE.

Gordon Bradbery

Lord Mayor of Wollongong OAM 

As Lord Mayor I recognise the central role of TAFE in the building of the social, cultural and economic capacity of communities, not least the Illawarra. Education is the gateway to providing opportunities to the youth to enable them to reach their full potential and others to reengage n the workforce. We all must support our region and the industries which provide employment and the educational institutions, such as TAFE, which support our communities economic and social sustainability.

Mr Ryan Park

Member of the Legislative Assembly 
Member for Keira 
Shadow Minister for Roads 
Member of the Australian Labor Party 

I would like to congratulate all those involved in the TAFE Community Alliance. TAFE within the community is vital to help address the skills shortage. The highly professional and trained staff need to be provided with adequate funding and resources to ensure the longevity here in NSW. I support the Alliance and their campaign to maintain TAFE's vital role in vocational education and training.

Greg Piper

Member of the Legislative Assembly 
Member for Lake Macquarie 
Independent 

It is critical that TAFE continue to offer quality vocational education and training that is affordable and accessible to all sections of the community. Further increasing fees will effectively prohibit many prospective students from accessing TAFE courses, which will be reflected in a diminished skilled workforce and the loss of opportunity for individuals to progress to higher-level qualifications. The resultant effect on the community and employers is potentially devastating.

Cherie Burton

Member of the Legislative Assembly 
Member for Kogarah
Member of the Australian Labor Party:

"I have never supported a competitive training market as an alternative to TAFE. I am a strong supporter of TAFE and believe TAFE offers the highest quality training for people in and entering the workforce."