FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is calling for local students, parents, teachers and employers to provide feedback on the Redesigning VET FEE-HELP Discussion Paper.
The Discussion Paper was developed following consultations around the country – including in Cairns – that were attended by VET FEE-HELP training providers, representatives from peak training bodies and industry and community stakeholders.
Mr Entsch said feedback on the future of the loans scheme is now open to everyone who is involved in vocational education and training.
“Vocational education and training is vital to our community,” said Mr Entsch. “It is the key to helping our young people get jobs and making sure our local employers have well-trained staff.
“I was very pleased that, in mid-April, more than 10 local providers had the opportunity to sit down with Minister Scott Ryan during his visit to Cairns to provide feedback on how improvements needed to be made to the system.
“Consultations were held in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and here in Cairns – so, as the only regional area involved in that process, our feedback was invaluable.
“Now I’d like to invite anyone interested in helping to improve VET FEE-HELP to respond to the Redesigning VET FEE-HELP Discussion Paper between now and the end of the financial year.”
Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Senator The Hon. Scott Ryan, said the Discussion Paper is an integral step towards the Coalition’s promise to redesign VET FEE-HELP in 2017 – particularly because the scheme had been plagued by difficulties following changes made by the former Labor government.
“Labor’s VET FEE-HELP scheme was demand driven, uncapped and had insufficient student protections in place. Labor’s reforms to the scheme opened the floodgates to shonky training providers and predatory brokers, who took advantage of students,” Senator Ryan said.
“The Turnbull Coalition Government is committed to defending the rights of students and taxpayers. Only the Coalition has committed to redesigning VET FEE-HELP in 2017.”
The Discussion Paper will be open for public comment until 30 June 2016 and can be accessed at https://docs.education.gov.au/documents/2017-vet-fee-help-scheme-redesign-discussion-paper . Submissions for consideration should be emailed to VFHPolicyRedesign@education.gov.au.