MURESK INSTITUTE — DIPLOMA OF AGRICULTURE
723. Hon COLIN TINCKNELL to the Minister for Education and
Training:
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the McGowan government will, in December 2020,
discontinue South Regional TAFE's flagship Diploma of Agriculture
program at Muresk Institute farm and hand currently enrolled students over to a
private New South Wales–based online learning centre?
(2) If yes to
(1), was this decision made after the South Regional TAFE diploma semester 2
students enrolled and commenced their July study program?
(3) If yes to
(1), will this affect students' ability to complete their qualification
in WA?
(4) Can the
minister guarantee that students who are forced to transition to an interstate
provider will not pay more for their qualification?
(5) Why was a New
South Wales–based private online provider selected over a Western Australian–based
online provider?
(6) How does this
change align with the government's stated intention to focus on
improving agricultural skills in WA and increase funding for TAFE in WA?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Diploma
of Agriculture delivered by South Regional TAFE at Muresk is not being
discontinued.
(2)–(6) Not
applicable, but if the member would like, I am happy to arrange either a briefing
on what Muresk is offering, because it is fantastic, or what South Metropolitan
TAFE is offering as well.