New TAFE needed

June 3, 2025

Stewart Sweeny’s article should be microchipped and injected into the buttock (left or right) of every federal candidate before the next election. Tough times are coming, and we need to take measures that some will find tough. Eternal tinkering simply wastes national time, money and energy. Policy risks need coherent explanation, but first we must acknowledge their real-world existence, lest public policy debate continue its current path of infantile game playing and party bickering.

TAFE is a prime example. Here we are amidst a world-wide technological/industrial/employment revolution of a magnitude not seen since the first coal-fired boiler began spitting steam. National productivity and innovation will determine our future national living standards. So, what do Australia’s leaders do but chant “Fee-free TAFE’’ and look smug.

TAFE’s structures, learning methodologies and course content date largely from the 1950s. Incremental tinkering will suit the current crop of TAFE managers and federal/state/local bureaucrats, but it will do bugger all for equity, productivity and our future well-being.