❓ A parliamentary question addresses budget cuts to vocational training staff, provisions for increased TAFE enrolments, and deficits in TAFE colleges. The Minister acknowledges the issues and outlines measures taken.
AnsweredQoN 513Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING — BUDGET COMMITMENT
I refer to the government’s budget commitments in training. (1) Why is there a reduction in vocational education and training full-time equivalent staff numbers of 58 FTEs from 746 in the last budget to a target of 688 for 2009-10? (2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER
I refer to the government’s budget commitments in training. (1) Why is there a reduction in vocational education and training full-time equivalent staff numbers of 58 FTEs from 746 in the last budget to a target of 688 for 2009-10? (2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(1) Why is there a reduction in vocational education and training full-time equivalent staff numbers of 58 FTEs from 746 in the last budget to a target of 688 for 2009-10? (2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(1) Why is there a reduction in vocational education and training full-time equivalent staff numbers of 58 FTEs from 746 in the last budget to a target of 688 for 2009-10? (2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(2) What provision is there for the rapid growth of technical and further education enrolments, currently increasing at a rate of 17 per cent a year? (3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(3) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s November 2008 report that seven of Western Australia’s 10 TAFE colleges are in deficit; and, if so, what measures has he taken to address this situation? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(1) Corporate services are apportioned across the three services’ areas and the reduction in FTEs reflects various adjustments made to actual staffing paid over the period. (2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(2) There has been an increase in applications for full-time TAFE courses. I have given TAFE greater flexibility to respond to increased student demand, including additional funding for training places through the economic stimulus package and the productivity places program. (3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
(3) Yes. The financial statements for TAFE colleges are based on established accounting standards, which include items such as depreciation and leave liabilities. Along with all other government agencies, including the Government Employees Superannuation Board, TAFE colleges are not fully funded for these items as these expenditures are met as they arise. From a cash management point of view, all colleges are able to operate in a positive manner for 2009. As in previous years, the budget and financial performance of each TAFE college is monitored on an ongoing basis and funding is adjusted as required.
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