A report into Queensland’s agriculture colleges has recommended they close their doors or undergo a major and costly restructure.
An Ernst & Young review of the state-owned Australian Agriculture Colleges Corporation found the organisation was not commercially viable, and recommended the doors be closed at its four campuses and two residential colleges.
The report says the only alternative would be a "major and costly" restructure of the colleges, which have more than 4000 students and 170 staff.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said he would "discuss all options" about the future of the colleges, including a possible takeover by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE.
He said the previous government had run the company into the ground.
"The ag colleges have been on a course to ruin for seven years. They've been run-down and neglected while running costs have spiralled out of control," Mr McVeigh said.
The organisation was forecast to lose as much as $6.8 million this financial year, he said.But deputy opposition leader and former agriculture minister Tim Mulherin said money spent on the colleges was an investment in the future.
"I never thought I would see the day when the National Party would be closing our state agricultural colleges," Mr Mulherin said.
"People in the bush must be outraged."
AAP
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