Queensland Tertiary Education Alliance
The Queensland Tertiary Education Alliance was formed in March 2003 in response to the Howard government's announcements that they would seek to further undermine public education in Australia.
Since coming to power in 1996, the government has increased HECS fees by 35-125%, introduced up-front fees for undergraduate students, and reduced the income level at which students must begin to repay HECS debts. While students' costs have been rising, this extra revenue has not flowed onto universities - in fact, the government has slashed millions from universities' operating grants.
"Backing Australia's Future" is the name of the government's higher education package which would see the replacement of HECS with fees up to 30% higher, the expansion of full up-front fee places, an interest bearing loans scheme, a 5-year limit on completion of degrees, and the introduction of voluntary student unionism.
In September the government also announced that universities would be eligible for $404 million in extra funding only if they implemented tough new workplace relations requirements designed to weaken univeristy staff conditions and undermine union representation. Read more about the government's package here.
The Queensland Tertiary Education Alliance is made up of: NTEU Queensland, the QUT Student Guild, the National Union of Students Queensland, the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations, the Griffith University Student Representative Council, the UQ Student Union, the Queensland Teachers Union, and the Queensland Council of Social Services.
The Alliance is organising a long term campaign to defend public education. We welcome students, unionists, parents, citizens, and staff to join us in this important campaign.
Further information:
| Get involved! | There are many ways you or your local group can get involved in the campaign. |
| QTEA Statement of Principles | The QTEA has developed this Statement of Principles to reflect our commitment to accessible, quality public education. |
| Submission to Senate Inquiry | Download the QTEA's submission to the recent Senate Inquiry into education funding. |
| Up-front fees press release | This press release was issued on 15 May 2003 to outline the QTEA's opposition to up-front fees for students. |
| Voluntary Student Unionism press release | Issued 15 May 2003 in response to the government's announcement to introduce VSU. |