THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE BALLARAT'S TAFE
FROM DESTRUCTION AT THE HANDS OF
THE BAILLIEU GOVERNMENT CONTINUES.
The Premier was greeted by campaigners for TAFE BALLARAT when he attended a business breakfast at Alexandra's on Lydiard Street this morning.
Baillieu's Breakfast
Protesters outside Alexandra's on Lydiard
where 75 guests were expected -
but less than that number was observed in attendance
Some of those in attendance (collage)
Ballarat Student want’s apology
from arrogant, out of touch Premier
Ballarat
Student Ann Healey was one of the SAVE TAFE protestors who got up very early
this morning to meet Premier Baillieu as he arrived in Ballarat to speak at the
Ballarat BisNet Breakfast at the Alexandria on Lydiard Street.
The quiet and
peaceful protest was to highlight, once again, the damage TAFE cuts are doing
to Ballarat’s social and economic future and provide the Premier with an
opportunity to stop for just a few moments and talk about his motivations for
slashing VET and TAFE.
After saying a
friendly good morning to the other attendees as they headed upstairs to hear
from the Premier about his vision for the state, the Premier arrived.
Ann in a very
friendly manner extended her hand to Mr Baillieu, wishing him a good morning
and asked if he would like to talk about the TAFE cuts for a few moments before
heading upstairs.
Instead of a
jovial response or a good morning in reply, the arrogant and out of touch
Premier pocketed his hands and displayed his lack of understanding and any sort
of decency or manners by accusing her of being an “electorate officer,” then arrogantly sweeping past with a smug grin
at his own misplaced and inappropriate joke.
The Premier's
misdirected joke however was at his own expense as Ann is a student and now
wants an apology from the out of touch Premier who accused her of being nothing
more than a political operative, denying and belittling her voice and her
passion to save TAFE and tertiary education so others can have the
opportunities she has had.
Ann does not
belong to a political party and has never worked as an ‘electorate officer,’ but
as a student is only too aware about what these cuts mean.
Once again the
Premier is failing to recognise the issues affecting TAFE and unwilling to even
spend a moment speaking about them with those affected.
The sheer
arrogance of the Premier was on display this morning to the protestors, some
media and guests who were arriving.
Yet another
smug one liner that is becoming the hallmark of an out of touch Premier with no
ideas.
Mr Baillieu
obviously thinks that the large movement of SAVE TAFE protestors across country
Victoria is nothing more than an orchestrated politically motivated movement
that is all about him.
He could not
be more wrong, the movement is growing, it’s concerns shared with groups like
AIG, VFF, the TAFE Association and VECCI who are only too aware of the damage
these cuts will do to the future of skills and opportunities in the state.
When asked at
the Breakfast upstairs what his vision for the state was, the Premier, unlike
his quick quip at Ann was left struggling to articulate any passion or
conviction.
Once again the
need for the Victorian community to speak out against these cuts is highlighted,
we cannot all possibility be electoral officers can we?
Ballarat SAVE TAFE Committee
For further information please contact
Brett Edgington
Secretary – Ballarat SAVE TAFE Committee
0412 152 567
University of Ballarat VET and TAFE Cuts
· 43 Courses cut
· 3 schools cut – from 7 to 4
· Approximately 100 jobs from teachers
and support staff lost
· 2200 student places per year less
· $20 million dollars a year cut from
University of Ballarat’s Budget
· Fee increases in remaining courses of
up to 600% to cover the loss of “Full Service Provider Funding”
· The Brewery Complex Building sold to
School of Mines in 1994 to facilitate TAFE growth, closed to TAFE and leased
out
· Plans to consolidate land titles to
start leasing and selling of more campus space – potential for TAFE city
presence to become only the Trade Training Centre and new Skills Centre
JOIN THE FIGHT FOR TAFES
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CAMPAIGN
ACROSS VICTORIA
[ I am sure there are other protest sites about
regarding TAFE. If you wish your site to be added
please email me at misseaglesnetwork(at)gmail(dot)com ]
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