The continuing course and staff cuts being forced on the University of Ballarat are a graphic example of what will happen if the Liberals win the Federal Election.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said the measures were being forced on the University by the deep cuts to TAFE by the Victorian Liberal Government.
“This is what Liberal Governments do. They cut vital services like education and health without any thought for who they hurt,” Ms King said.
“This is exactly what Tony Abbott plans if he happens to win Government at the election.
“He is running a mile to avoid saying how he will fill his $70 billion black hole and pay for extravagant commitments like cuts in company taxation.”
Ms King said total funding to the University of Ballarat from the Federal Government in 2012 was $129.4 million – an increase of $67.6 million under the Labor Government.
“By contrast, the State Liberal Government confirmed that total cuts to TAFE in the 2012-13 Budget equate to about $290 million a year by 2013,” Ms King said.
“The University of Ballarat has again confirmed a $20 million shortfall due to the State Liberal Government’s restructured TAFE funding model.
“If voters in this region needed any example of what it would be like under an Abbott Liberal Government there could be none better than this.
“Funding for our schools, our hospitals, and our university; and for programs like Disability Care Australia would be under genuine threat under the Tony Abbott-led Liberals.”