[Jade Benham] Government’s free TAFE plan lacks substance

The Nationals' Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has told Parliament the Allan Labor Government's Education and Training Reform Amendment (Free TAFE Guarantee) Bill 2026 is a missed opportunity to strengthen Victoria's vocational education and training sector.

Speaking in Parliament on the bill, Ms Benham said while the Victorian Liberals and Nationals support strong vocational education, the legislation falls short of delivering meaningful reform.

"The bill that is now before us represents, regrettably, a missed opportunity for our state to truly strengthen our VET sector," Ms Benham said.

"This legislation from a tired Labor government is big on spin and rhetoric but very lightweight on substance."

Ms Benham said TAFE plays a critical role in training the skilled workforce Victoria needs, particularly in regional communities.

"Regional TAFEs are not just education providers - they are pipelines to industry. If we don't train people locally, we simply won't have the skilled workers our communities rely on," she said.

Ms Benham also said more needed to be done to improve apprenticeship completion rates and ensure more qualified tradespeople enter the workforce.

"It's not just about getting people into training. We need to make sure apprentices finish their qualifications and get out into the workforce as skilled tradies," she said.

Ms Benham said the bill's so-called Free TAFE Guarantee does not provide the certainty the government claims.

"The Minister decides which courses are free, with no minimum number required and no legal rights for students. That means the list of free courses could be expanded or reduced at any time," she said.