Rupert Gets It Right
12 October 2001
The National Tertiary Education Union has welcomed Rupert Murdoch’s call for greater investment by Government in building our universities.
NTEU President Carolyn Allport, who will launch the Union’s South Australian targeted Seats Campaign in Adelaide today, said that this issue crossed political borders to unite people from all walks of life.
`University staff, students, employers, and industry groups all argue the need for increased funding for universities,’ Dr Allport said. `The Business Council of Australia and the Executive Chair of News Corporation are the latest to add their voices to this debate.’
`The question is, are John Howard and Kim Beazley listening? And, more importantly, do either of them have the courage to commit their parties to rebuilding our universities?’
Dr Allport said that an additional $1billion was needed just to restore university funding to 1996 levels.
`The Howard Government’s policies have been an unmitigated disaster. Over the past five years, we’ve seen public funding cut and universities forced to scramble for private funds, most of which come from students and families, and which is inadequate to meet their ongoing operating costs.’
`We welcome initiatives to increase private funding to universities, but this is not the answer. Universities need a stable funding base if they are to serve the public interest, and deliver the world-class education that leads to world-class jobs.’
The NTEU is working in fourteen electorates around the country to deliver this message to Federal Election candidates, and next week will launch a TV and radio advertising campaign in regional Australia. Dr Allport and ACTU President Sharan Burrow will launch the NTEU’s South Australian Targeted Seats campaign at a meeting in the Cloisters, Adelaide University, at 11.30 today, followed by a media conference.