Chanting “Sack Ted (Baillieu), Save TAFE” the protesters heard that some teachers have already been told their contracts won’t be renewed.

The Victorian Government’s TAFE funding cuts announced in the state budget will strip Wodonga of $7 million, about 33 per cent of its state government funding.

It was the third of 10 rallies planned for Victoria.

Organisers say they won’t stop until the funding was re-instated.

AEU Victorian Branch President, Mary Bluett said that every Victorian TAFE across the State would be impacted by the cuts, but that regional TAFEs were particularly vulnerable.

“Regional TAFEs are a crucial part of the community and the decision by the Baillieu Government to cut funding in up to 80 per cent of vocational courses puts the viability of these TAFEs on the line,” she said.

“Today we will show the Baillieu Liberal-National Coalition Government that their $300 million in Budget cuts will not be tolerated. They must be held accountable for the job losses, course cancellations, campus closures and fee increases for students that they have caused.

“The Government should be committing to a well-resourced, high quality TAFE sector and encouraging learning, not making it harder for students.