Media release – Sarah Courtney, Minister for Small Business, Hospitality and Events, 10 November 2020
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Training Boost
The 2020-21 State Budget is set to create jobs, invest in our community and provide certainty and confidence for a better Tasmanian future.
We know that those in the hospitality and tourism industries have been some of the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government is committed to continuing to work with these important sectors to build a skilled workforce and develop a sustainable, industry-led approach to training.
These industries underpin the Tasmanian economy and are supported in the 2020-21 State Budget with $1 million over two years to support the establishment of a new not-for-profit industry Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
This funding demonstrates our clear commitment to improve training options for these important sectors in Tasmania and fulfils the Government’s long term aspiration to grow our skilled Tasmanian hospitality and tourism workforces.
The establishment of the RTO follows calls from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania to introduce an alternative training model that meets the needs of industry and will include a focus on developing the skills of employees through both accredited and non-accredited training, informed by industry.
Informed by these peak bodies, the new RTO will complement private training providers and TasTAFE’s Drysdale arm to expand the market. It will also focus on areas that Drysdale does not deliver such as industry informed non-accredited training programs.
As part of this initiative, a Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Advisory Committee is being established, with representation from the THA and TICT to advise the Government on skills priorities for the sector, workforce development, training and career pathways.
Led by industry, the RTO will help to build specific skills that will meet the demand of emerging markets, create new pathways and improve access and employment opportunities for Tasmanians living in regional areas.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania for their ongoing work and strong advocacy for their members throughout the pandemic.
Media release – Andrew Wilkie MP, 11 November 2020
MORE TAXPAYER FUNDS TO LIBERAL DONOR
Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, said the State Government’s gift of $1m of taxpayer funds to a political donor raised serious questions.
“Did the State Government follow proper process awarding these taxpayer funds and give other organisations a chance including TAFE provider Drysdale Institute, or did it simply agree to hand over the taxpayer funds after a party donor came knocking?” Mr Wilkie asked.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association/Australian Hotels Association donated about $270,000 to the Tasmanians Liberals ahead of the 2018 state election. The pro-pokies THA had its taxpayer funding more than tripled after the state election to $1.7m a year for four years.
“Is yesterday’s announcement of $1m to the THA and Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania for a training organisation on top of the $6.8m already promised to the THA?” Mr Wilkie asked. “That is an extraordinary return on an investment of $270,000. Any reasonable person might say it is corruption in that it may be lawful, but it is deep corruption of governance and proper process.
“Who can forget Steve Old boasting about using his contact book to ensure mainland workers could get to Tasmania during lockdown to help finish the Crowne Plaza, owned by another Liberal donor.”
“Moreover this is $1m that could be much better used elsewhere, for example as a top up to the paltry $4m announced yesterday for youth mental health.”
Mr Wilkie said it was time the State Government came good on its promise to make political donations more transparent in Tasmania. “Tasmania has the worst political donations laws in the country,” Mr Wilkie said. “What is the State Government trying to hide? Why is the Premier back-peddling from the promise of a more transparent system?”
Mr Wilkie supports the real-time disclosure of political donations. He does not accept donations from gambling, liquor or tobacco corporations and declares donations of more than $1,000 in real-time at supportandrewwilkie.com
