The Nationals responded by saying Labor claims about TAFE numbers in Griffith are not true, and overall enrollments are in fact growing in the area. 

Country Labor said in a statement, “since the Liberals and Nationals came to government in NSW, 5,700 TAFE teachers and support staff have been sacked.

“At the same time, enrolments have fallen by a staggering 175,000… the war on TAFE has resulted in damaging cuts to courses in automotive, carpentry, hospitality and commercial cookery”.

Nationals candidate for Murray Austin Evans said, “Labor’s claims about enrolments at TAFE in Griffith are fabrications. Courses in Commerical Cookery and Hospitality for the region are delivered in Wagga Wagga, their assertion they have been ‘cut’ at Griffith is wrong”.

Adam Marshall, Assistant Minister for Skills and responsible for TAFE NSW, said ““Enrolments at TAFE NSW Griffith have seen growth in recent in recent years and in the last 12 months Certificate III qualifications… have increased by 11 per cent”.

Labor, however, claims a recent leaked document unveiled at Budget Estimates reveal enrolments in the south region of NSW are down by over 20 per cent in this year alone.

Mr Kidd said, “we deserve a fully funded TAFE in Griffith, Leeton and Deniliquin to support local industry and jobs”.

“The former local member (Adrian Piccoli) has stood back and watched as his National Party colleagues savage local TAFE colleges right across the region.

Dr Kidd pledged a future NSW Labor Government has committed to reserving at least 70 per cent of all NSW VET funding for TAFE NSW.

Ms Car said Labor would also conduct an investigation into dodgy private colleges, who target students in lower socio-economic areas with expensive courses that provide questionable qualifications. 

“When you give up on TAFEs in rural and regional areas you give up on the town,” Ms Car said. 

“Students in places like Griffith deserve to be able to go to TAFE to learn real skills to get good jobs for their futures.”

The by-election for the NSW seat of Murray will be held on October 14.