New Wangaratta TEC is safe under liberals

Lib makes a guarantee on college
Nick McHugh

A VICTORIAN Liberal Government would not withdraw funds for Wangaratta’s technical college, the party’s candidate for Murray Valley Nick McHugh said yesterday.

The Liberals came under fire from Education Minister Lynne Kosky, who said their policy released last weekend, revealed the money allocated for the tech school would be redirected to Melbourne.

Mr McHugh said Ms Kosky’s claims that the college was “doomed” under a Liberal Government were completely false and ill-informed.

“The Liberal policy clearly states the funding for technical education centres will not come under threat,” Mr McHugh said.

“We fully support the technical college in Wangaratta.”

Mr McHugh himself completed a pre-apprenticeship course at the Wangaratta TAFE campus in 2001.

“As the Liberal candidate for Murray Valley, I can guarantee the Wangaratta TAFE will always have my full support,” Mr McHugh said.

“The Liberals understand how important technical schools are to our community and our economy and are committed to improving the opportunity and availability of technical training.”

Earlier this year Ms Kosky said Wangaratta would be the first of four technical education centres in the state that would be part of an $8 million investment in education.

It is expected to be operational by the start of next year and will be part of the merger between Wangaratta High and the Ovens Secondary College.

The centre will offer vocational training to year 10, 11 and 12 students.

Ovens Secondary College is likely to be home to the school initially.

However, a site adjacent to Goulburn-Ovens TAFE in Docker St is expected to be developed as the main campus.

---

Watchdog Comment:
The state election campaign is starting to turn dirty when the government distorts the press release of the opposition to confuse the electorate. ... see "New Wangaratta TEC to close under liberals"