Union welcomes government backdown on ABSTUDY
3 November 1997
The National Tertiary Education Union has claimed a victory in the light of the Government’s backdown on cuts to Abstudy. However, the union, which represents tertiary education staff, has warned that more needs to be done to protect opportunities for Indigenous Australians to participate in employment and education in tertiary institutions.
`In a letter to the Union, the Government has acknowledged that the changes announced in the Federal Budget would not support its objective of ensuring effective targeting for Abstudy funds,’ said NTEU President Dr Carolyn Allport. `This is a vindication of what we, along with institutions, students and the community, have been telling Government for the past six months.’
`The Government has acted on many of the recommendations made by the NTEU in its submission on this issue. It has modified its position on away-from-base funding, setting limits which will enable the continuation of most away-from-base courses. It has also removed the prohibition on students accessing Abstudy for interstate travel to undertake TAFE or enabling courses, and restored opportunities for Indigenous postgraduates to access Abstudy for postgraduate qualifications.’
Dr Allport welcomed the fact that universities could now start planning for 1998 on a firmer basis, but said that Budget changes to Abstudy could still result in attrition and reduced participation by Indigenous students.
`The Government has refused to move on its decision to introduce an abatement rate,’ said. `This will result in several thousand students having their Abstudy benefits removed or reduced, and the effects of this could be devastating. The Union is worried about student participation, but also possible flow-on effects on employment.’
`At the very least, the Government must monitor the impact of the changes it has left in place, and take action if the numbers of Indigenous students decline as a result.’