The Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea strongly supports the www.freezetafefees.com.au online petition as part of the community driven campaign to freeze TAFE fees at the 2007 level. 

Mr O’Dea said the online petition calls for TAFE fees to be frozen at the 2007 level until 2011 and would be printed and delivered to the NSW Minister for Education.

“I urge everyone to visit the website and add their name to the petition so we can gather as many signatories as possible,” Mr O’Dea said.

“If the wider community bands together I believe we can compel the NSW Labor Government to reverse its unpopular decision to increase TAFE fees by up to nine per cent from this year.

“The increase in fees will make TAFE unaffordable for many students.”

NSW Shadow Minister for Education and Skills Development Andrew Stoner said the influence of a strong community campaign could not be underestimated.

“We have seen the powerful influence grassroots campaigns can have – the sell-off of the Snowy Mountains Scheme was aborted after continued pressure from the public – and I believe we can do the same with TAFE fee increases,” Mr Stoner said.

“The increase in TAFE fees, which takes the annual cost of some courses to $1420, will leave many current and prospective students unable to afford to study at TAFE.

“And it must be remembered that course fees are on top of the cost of study materials and travelling expenses.”

Mr O’Dea said the community-driven campaign was already starting to build momentum.

“The Freeze TAFE Fees campaign is a bi-partisan campaign which already has the support of the NSW TAFE Teacher’s Association and The Greens,” Mr O’Dea said.

“I strongly urge everyone to add their name to the petition so we can build this campaign to the point where it can no longer be ignored by the NSW Labor Government.”

For further information, please call Jonathan O’Dea on 0418 241 500.