🏢 Tania Mihailuk Questions Bankstown TAFE Funding

Concerns are mounting in Bankstown regarding the proposed relocation of Bankstown TAFE, with local Member of Parliament, the Hon. Tania Mihailuk, raising significant questions in the NSW Legislative Council.

During a recent parliamentary session, Ms Mihailuk scrutinised a written answer she received from the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education concerning the 'temporary' relocation of the Bankstown TAFE campus. Her inquiries highlighted a lack of transparency and apparent delays in identifying a new site, noting that a public announcement was expected in December last year but had not materialised.

A primary point of contention for Ms Mihailuk is the recent announcement of $100 million to be allocated, potentially to Western Sydney University or Padstow TAFE, for the relocation efforts. She expressed bewilderment at the prospect of Western Sydney University receiving a substantial portion of these funds, pointing out that the university's new 18-storey building in Bankstown was recently completed at a cost of $340 million and benefits from a nominal $1 per year lease from Canterbury-Bankstown Council for the next 98 years.

Ms Mihailuk questioned the necessity of providing additional taxpayer money to a university that has already invested heavily in a state-of-the-art facility. She also highlighted what she perceives as a deflection of responsibility from the TAFE Minister to the Health Minister regarding decision-making. The local MP has vowed to pursue further answers during upcoming budget estimates hearings, emphasising her concern for the Bankstown community regarding the future of their TAFE institution.