I'm very concerned about the increase in students deferring after Year 12 because they need to work to survive to pay for their education and mounting HECS debt. Non completion is a real issue young people are facing under this system.

When did education become a privilege in this country rather than a democratic right under the constitution?

The most impact for schools and TAFEs is that, on the one hand we have a federal government policy under COAG and the National Youth Attainment and Transition programs to keep young people engaged and connected with training. Yet we have a State Government policy that is encouraging exactly the opposite. These are mixed messages – let's get it right.

Who decided that career planning was a linear progression? This is not the case and never has been!

We now have a situation where we counsel youth to stay at school until year 12, then find training in one area only, then pay full fees for further training if your skill sets don't quite match what your employer needs – if you are lucky enough to find full time ongoing employment with your one certifcate. Under this policy choice comes at a high price: the future career development of our youth, their futures and ultimately all our futures.

This policy makes a mockery of the COAG agenda and forces the most vulnerable people into impossible study and training choices, without support.