I wrote to my local Minister, Fiona Richardson MP (Labor Member for Northcote, Ph: 9481 5777) to explain that the government's claim that its reforms make TAFE more accessible is simply not true. I wanted a response to my assertion that the reforms were having a damaging impact on individuals and skills shortages.

I received my response over three months later. I had seen these words before on the glossy brochures, on the webpage and in government-funded advertising campaigns.

The Minister told me "The minimum fee of $50 per year is available as a concession to all Health Care Card holders studying at Certificate I to Certificate IV levels." This blatantly ignores the fact I raised, that from all levels above Certificate 4, the minimum fee of $50 and the Health Care concession card are now no longer available. My concern is that disadvantaged people are forced into non-diploma study.

After waiting three months for my letter back, I'm none the wiser as to how the government can justify this.

In fact, not one of the 430 words from the Minister addressed the specific concerns I raised, such as Victoria's TAFE fees being significantly higher than other states, particularly for disadvantaged persons; TAFE changes acting in complete opposition to the federal government's Social Inclusion Agenda; and the discrimination to which those who have obsolete qualifications are now subjected, with higher fees they can't afford.

My letter explained that I work with older Victorians who have been out of work; that these fees are causing further disengagement, distress and a reliance on benefits.

Instead of responding to this, I was told "an extra 172,000 training places are being provided to help the 1.6 million Victorians who do not have post school qualifications and those who wish to improve their skills."

But the Minister didn't admit that these "extra places" come at a significant "extra" cost (to the tune of many thousands of dollars in some cases). Many students are not eligible for these places. TAFEs are already reporting that this is turning students away in droves. I want the Minister to report on how many of these extra 172,000 places have been taken up.

Extra places are of no use, Minister, if they are empty places.

Perhaps there have been some unintended consequences from the TAFE reforms and perhaps the Brumby Government is willing to take an honest look at what's happened. This is my hope. I hope the Victorian Government will be transparent about this and that the review findings and recommendations will be made public.

If the untruths aren't addressed, and with the current TAFE agenda, I will struggle to vote for Labour in the next state election. My legitimate concerns are being ignored by the state; this is not the sort of governing I want my state to operate under.

In the lead up to the state election this year, the more of us who write to our local ministers – and the more of us who publicise their empty, flimsy responses, the more powerful our campaign to turn the TAFE changes around.

I compel everyone who cares about equal access to education to contact their local Ministers and ask the same questions I did. It's the only way we can actually get them to respond.

— Posted by Margie Frye, TAFE teacher

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