Speech: National TAFE Day

To Bill Shorten, the leader of the opposition, Senator Rhiannon when she arrives, and those other Parliamentary guests who are here tonight who are far too numerous to mention. Chris Robinson, the Chief Commissioner of the Australian Skills Quality Authority, thank you for being here. Chris I understand, I think somewhere Malcolm White, hopefully, the…

International Education Symposium

Thanks very much Phil, I’m slightly less frustrated this season as I was last season as an Adelaide Crows fan but it’s still very much early days. To Phil Honeywood, perhaps Australia’s preeminent advocate for international education, and thank you for, not only having me here today and for you through the IEAA convening this…

GTA Conference

SIMON BIRMINGHAM: …to direct future qualification frameworks and arrangements to be responsive to those future needs of our economy. We’ve already of course announced the new models in relationship to training package development that will put industry reference committees at the heart of that process and in the next few days I hope to announce…

NEAS Conference Opening Speech

Good morning ladies and gentleman and thank you very much for that welcome it is a pleasure to join you today for the National English Language Training Accreditation Scheme conference 2015, blessedly known as NEAS because the full title in and of itself is a bit like the English language test. It is a delight…

AMEP Forum Launch

Subject: (AMEP Forum Launch) E&OE… SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for that introduction and welcome to chilly Canberra, it’s nice and warm in here though and I thank you all very much for being here today to participate in this forum, the Adult Migrant English Program forum. It’s a…

Marriage Amendment Bill

 I regret that I am not able to be in the Senate to make a contribution to today’s debate on same-sex marriage, but write this article to ensure my views and position are understood.   The reason for my absence from the Senate is perhaps poignant, as I am taking some short leave following the…

Launch of ACPET Code of Conduct

SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Thank you to the ACPET team, to Mel and the board members and representatives of different companies who are present here today. To our hosts from [indistinct] in education, thank you very much for having us here, and for the showcasing of the wonderful work that you do and that you’ll undertake with…

The Skills for the Job: Ensuring vocational education and training delivers for employees and employers

Speech to Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  The Skills for the Job: Ensuring vocational education and training delivers for employees and employers Sydney 5 February 2015 I would like to begin by thanking ACCI for not only hosting me today, but for being a strong advocate for training that focuses on job outcomes, and employer-led…