Today’s Age article on Kangan TAFE’s decision to cease its Auslan course omits a number of important facts.

• FACT 1:
  Kangan TAFE first indicated to the State Government it wanted to withdraw from Auslan provision in November 2010, before the last State election. 
  
  In May last year, Kangan again indicated a desire to stop  training those who want to work with the deaf.

• FACT 2:
  The subsidy for Auslan training at the Certificate III and IV level will increase as a result of changes announced by the Victorian Government in the last Budget. They will increase by 5 per cent.
  
  Subsidies for Diploma courses will reduce because these students, like their peers undertaking degrees, have access to an income contingent loan.

• FACT 3:
  As a result of Kangan TAFE foreshadowing its desire to cease Auslan courses the Victorian Government commenced discussions with VicDeaf about the future delivery of Auslan in Victoria in October 2011.
  
  Last December, the Victorian Government approved NSWDeaf (a NSW registered training organisation) to access Victorian Government training subsidies.

Kangan TAFE is being deceptive and duplicitous in presenting its decision to cease training in Auslan as a result of the Victorian Government’s funding changes.