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Cameron Still Silent On Future Of Agriculture Education

In the lead-up to Melbourne University’s rural campus open days, the Bracks Government must reassure Victoria’s future agriculture students that their education requirements can and will be met.

By Philip Davis - 2nd August 2005 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said Labor’s Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron has remained silent on whether he is working to ensure the future of agricultural education in Victoria after Melbourne University surrendered its agricultural courses.

Mr Davis said the university is holding its campus open days at McMillan, Longerenong, Glenormiston and Gilbert Chandler this month and Bob Cameron is expecting students to make decisions about their future without even knowing if a new course provider had been found.

"During the past 12 months, the Liberal Party has fought hard to ensure the future of agricultural education in Victoria – but Labor’s Minister for Agriculture is nowhere to be seen," Mr Davis said.

"The first rural campus open day will be held this weekend, yet students still have no idea if another service provider has been found and what the arrangements will be.

"It is incomprehensible to expect secondary school students to seriously consider agriculture as a future career option on this basis.

"How can these open days be of any assistance to students without Bob Cameron’s assurance that he is working to guarantee a course provider into the future?"

Mr Davis said Bob Cameron had also maintained a deafening silence about changes to increasing skills in rural communities.

"To ensure the successful future of Victoria’s primary industries there needs to be a skilled workforce," Mr Davis said.

"Employees need to have proficient skill sets in natural resource management, environmental management including water and climate, and in particular farm management practice.

"But Bob Cameron’s avoidance and lack of assurance that the primary industries workforce will remain well skilled through agricultural education sums up his commitment to his portfolio. He is consistently missing in action when it comes to the serious issues affecting agriculture across Victoria.

"Bob Cameron is jeopardising the future of Victorian agriculture and leaving potential agriculture students unsure if they will have somewhere to study.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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