Press conference - CIT Woden
MICHAEL PETTERSSON, ACT MINISTER FOR SKILLS, TRAINING AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS: Good morning everyone, it is a pleasure to be here for the official opening of CIT Woden, and it's a delight to be joined by parliamentary colleagues. Federal Minister for Skills Andrew Giles, Member for Canberra Alicia Payne, also the Treasurer Chris Steel, who are huge supporters of vocational education in our city. And I'm very grateful that they're here for this tremendous celebration.
Today, as we open CIT Woden, we celebrate the next chapter in the story of CIT. CIT has a proud history in our city. Generations of Canberrans have direct connection to this institution, whether you've studied here yourself or worked here yourself, or you know someone that has, Canberrans love CIT and Canberrans will be immensely proud of this new facility, which will take CIT into the future. Across 22,000 square metres in this vertical school, this will be a place that transforms lives, provide spaces and tools to train people for the jobs of the future. This is part of a wider piece of work to move away from the former Reid campus. The redevelopment here in Woden, as well as the progression of CIT Yurauna, out at Bruce, is an important part of the work that the ACT Government is doing with vocational education in our city. I’ll hand over to Minister Giles.
ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR SKILLS AND TRAINING: Thanks very much, Michael. And can I start by saying congratulations, this is a really wonderful event to be part of. It's incredible to think that you and I were here only a few months ago when this was a construction site, and to see the vision of CIT – and its leadership by Margot – realised and see also the incredible sense of excitement and possibilities we've seen from a range of students already this morning. It's terrific also to be here with my friend and colleague from the Federal Parliament, Member for Canberra Alicia Payne, and of course, Treasurer Steel from the Barr Government.
Today is a really important event in and of itself, and it means a lot to every Canberran, but I think it's also a symbol of where we are traveling to as a nation when it comes to vocational education and training. When the Albanese Government was elected, we had the worst skills crisis in 50 years, second worst across the whole of advanced economies. We're really focused on building back, recognising that the $3 billion the former conservative government ripped out of TAFE and training needed to be not only replaced, but built upon, so that we can have TAFE back at the heart of our system of skills and training to make sure that every Australian, and in particular today, every Canberran, can get the skills they want to do with the jobs that we need doing. And the partnership that we enjoy as the Albanese Government with the Barr Government here, and particularly with my friend Minister Pettersson, has been absolutely critical. I'm so pleased to see the benefits of the National Skills Agreement, in particular Free TAFE making a real difference, breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone can access skills and training that they want, to fulfill their potential in work and in life.
And while today is really about celebrating the extraordinary work of the ACT Government here, and thinking about the possibilities for this building to deliver for students here today and into the future, I also want to recognise the Commonwealth investment here, $10 million to support the Youth Foyer here that will enable another barrier that has been preventing some vulnerable people in this community from accessing skills and training and fulfilling their potential in life. So today is another day in the partnership between our Governments in breaking down the barriers that have prevented too many Australians from accessing training and also breaking down another barrier.
I've talked a little bit about the fact that we need to have a parity of esteem between the higher education pathway and the VET pathway. A building like this is a really exciting one. It shows us how important VET is to the lives of every Australian, in particular, the lives of these communities in Canberra. So Michael, I don't know if you want to go first with questions, or if there's anything for me first.
JOURNALIST: The investment that the Federal Government has made. How did you decide the amount?
GILES: It's really what the Youth Foyer costs, to enable us to break down those barriers holding back people from fully participating in TAFE. Again, everything we do is based on partnership, partnership with the states and the territories, and indeed, the partnership is focused on the needs of everyone. We know that we've got to break down absolutely every barrier that's been holding people back. Most obviously, we do that through things like Free TAFE, more than 600,000 enrolments, but we know that we've got to do more if we're going to break down the skills crisis holding our economy back and denying too many people from doing the job they do.
JOURNALIST: What courses will be offered here?
PETTERSSON: A range of courses, from cyber security, IT, hospitality, fashion, the creative industries. The teaching spaces in CIT Woden cover 24 industries. If you're interested in studying at CIT, get online and look at the amazing course offerings. It is countless, the amazing opportunities exist right here in this campus.
JOURNALIST: And why did you decide to support these industries?
PETTERSSON: These are real growth opportunities for the ACT. We are a growing city and a growing economy, and we recognise that we need to respond to the growing needs of our city. These are industries that we've identified as having real potential for the future of our city. They also correspond to a general need across activities.
JOURNALIST: How have you determined there’s enough parking in the area to service this campus?
PETTERSSON: Well, we are currently located right next to the new Woden public transport interchange. It is prime location in the middle of Woden Town Centre. We recognise that there are a range of ways that people move about our city. Canberrans famously love their cars, and we fully respect that, which is why Woden Town Centre has a range of parking options available. Just next door, there is, of course, the Woden Westfield car park, which has free parking. Conversations have been taking place about a student offering at that site. There's also a range of other parking options in the broader Woden Town Centre area. The big message that I'd like to emphasise is that this investment in Woden is about revitalising, not just TAFE, but also about public transport, which is why we invested in a new public transport interchange.
JOURNALIST: And why have you decided that construction trades shouldn’t be taught here, as well as the other courses?
PETTERSSON: The needs of tradies are slightly different to those of the other cohorts. Commonly, they need their tools and utes, and they are largely located at the Fyshwick campus. So this is a wonderful campus that provides lots and lots of opportunities, but it's not necessarily the right space for all learning. That's why CIT across each campus has a broad and diverse offering. We appreciate that each campus will have slightly different offerings. So Fyshwick will remain a key focus for some of those trades.
JOURNALIST: Are you hopeful that a building like this, the investment that has been made, will attract students who might otherwise have gone to universities? Is that what the Government's looking to achieve with CIT?
PETTERSSON: We want people to study and learn here at CIT. Whatever pathway you are on in life, there is a good argument for why you should be adding public TAFE here at CIT to that mix. We know that this is a campus that will attract people's attention, not just Woden, but to CIT, so if you are interested in studying at CIT, please get online, the website outlines all of the courses. I've already spoken to countless Canberrans that have said that they want to get inside this building and study. So I already know that this building is having that intended effect, regardless of whether student numbers go up or down, it's also about providing fit for purpose spaces for the next generation of learners.
JOURNALIST: Do you think this will provide a more sustainable footing for CIT, which has in recent years had some financial pressures?
PETTERSSON: This is an important investment by the ACT Government in the Canberra Institute of Technology. We know that this will support CIT into the future. I'm very hopeful that this will attract more students to study at CIT. I'm also confident that this will help address some of the skills needs we have in this city.
JOURNALIST: Just on the ADHD medications at GPs, GPs will be able to now provide diagnosis. How is that going to benefit outcomes for people?
PETTERSSON: I am going to need help on that one. I might have missed that news.
JOURNALIST: So a select few GPs in Canberra will be able to diagnose ADHD now. How do you think that will help?
PETTERSSON: On that one I think I'm going to need to defer to the Health Minister, I'm sorry.
JOURNALIST: A question for Minister Steel. So why wasn't parking considered in this planning?
CHRIS STEEL, ACT MINISTER FOR PLANNING: Parking was considered as part of the planning for the new CIT campus in Woden. There are around 70 car parks that have been built under the new campus. And of course, there are a range of other car parks that exist in the Woden Town Centre for long stay and also short stay parking, which can be free up to two hours. And then students and staff can also utilise the longer stay car parks, which are surface car parks owned by the Government and also by Westfield.
JOURNALIST: And talking about Oaks Estate, is there any plans to sell off Oaks Estate to across the border?
STEEL: No.
JOURNALIST: Do you think Oaks Estate brings something valuable to the Canberra community?
STEEL: I’d like to say it is an important part of Canberra, and the ACT Government has been working closely with Oaks Estate residents, particularly those who live in some of the public housing properties that the ACT Government owns and manages. And we've also been looking at other connectivity issues, working with the Cross-Border Commissioner on options to improve public transport access. They currently utilise some of the cross-border transport services that are provided from Queanbeyan, which are within walking distance of the main street.
JOURNALIST: And where is the Government at with the border expansion, land swap, near Ginninderra?
STEEL: That's a question for Minister Berry, who's responsible for suburban land agencies currently going through that discussion, and of course, cross-border issues are a matter for the Chief Minister.
I’ll make a comment, though, as a local member in relation to the CIT campus. Our Government sees TAFE as being the centre of the training system, but now TAFE is the centre of Woden Town Centre, a place that will reinvigorate this important hub in Canberra. 6,500 students and staff using the campus, but well over a thousand we expect to be utilising the campus every day. So Woden won't just be a place for work and shopping at the Westfield, it will be a place for learning and it will be a place for the community. We've seen the benefit of this campus in providing improved public spaces that will be utilised by the broader Woden Valley community, and, of course, improved tree canopy cover in a space that was largely dominated by concrete. And of course, in the future, we'll see the benefit of the Woden transport interchange which we expect to be completed by the end of the year.
ENDS