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PRIME MINISTER ' 72/ 92
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J
KEATING, MP AND THE MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION
AND TRAINING, THE HON KIM BEAZLEY, MP.
A new national vocational education and training system
will be established following an historic agreement
reached between the Commonwealth, State and Territory
Governments today.
The Prime Minister, Mr Keating, said the new system would
give vocational education in Australia a truly national
focus. It will centre on a Council of Ministers and a new body
the Australian National Training Authority ( ANTA).
The Commonwealth and all States and Territories will
channel their funding for training through ANTA, creating
a genuinely national system.
The system will provide assured funding arrangements, a
consistent national approach to training, close
involvement of industry, and a high quality network of
training providers.
There will be more opportunities for young people, and
higher quality training for industry.
On the basis of the agreement reached today, the
Commonwealth will provide, over the next three years, the
additional $ 720 million for vocational education outlined
in the One Nation statement in February.
The States have agreed to at least maintain their current
level of effort for vocational education and training.
The five member board of ANTA will be made up of
acknowledged independent experts, appointed by the
Ministorial Counicil. ANTA will be a Commonwealth statuory
authority.
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Its key functions will include: formulation of a national
strategic plan; provision of advice to the Ministerial
Council on funding levels and distribution; and direct
planning involvement with State agencies to ensure
efficient and high quality service.
A document providing details of the new arrangements is
being released with this statement.
CANBERRA 21 JULY 1992