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Bracks Government Fails To Retain Agricultural CollegesThe Bracks Government stands condemned for not securing the future of agricultural education in Victoria, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis and Shadow Minister for Education Victor Perton said today. By Philip Davis - 8th June 2005 - Back to News Mr Perton said farmers, local communities and the Liberal Party worked together to convince Melbourne University to reconsider its plans to close its country campuses.
"But Melbourne University has since announced it will be stepping away from its agricultural colleges, with the transition to be complete by 2007," Mr Perton said.
"Country Victorians should blame Education Minister Lynne Kosky for this decision because Melbourne University would not have taken this step without a ‘wink and a nod’ from her and without the votes of her nominees on the university council, including the secretary of her department.
"To survive, the campuses of Longerenong at Horsham, Glenormiston at Terang and McMillan at Warragul and Leongatha will have to stand alone or find alternate auspice education providers.
"Dookie’s future will be dependent on negotiations with the TAFE sector, while Gilbert Chandler in its present form at Werribee will close and all programs relocated to Parkville."
Mr Perton said this was typical of the "do nothing" approach taken by the Bracks Government.
"The Education Minister Lynne Kosky is the only person with the authority to control the allocation of TAFE funding who can guarantee there will be a proper transition for each of the agricultural colleges, maintaining service delivery for education and training for the rural sector," Mr Perton said.
Philip Davis said the Bracks Government had done nothing to retain Melbourne University’s country campuses, despite the pleas from students, teachers and parents.
"Closure of the agricultural campuses was mooted six months ago and has now been put back on the agenda by Melbourne University.
"This is another kick in the guts for country Victoria.
"Where does the Bracks Government expect our future farmers to come from if its sits back and watches as this vital education and training structure disappears?"
Mr Davis said that if these major education institutions were moved away from the country, students would be forced to move from their country homes.
"Labor does not understand that the best place for agriculture education centres is in the place where the majority of agriculture production occurs – in the country," Mr Davis said.
"The Bracks Government’s failure to act on this issue will result in the demise of agricultural education."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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