Howard Demonstrates Ignorance on Indigenous Education
15 October 2001
The Prime Minister last night showed that he has little regard for the facts, when it comes to Indigenous Australian university enrolments. In the televised election debate last night, Mr Howard claimed:
"the number of indigenous people going to universities has gone up dramatically"
NTEU President Dr Carolyn Allport, said that Mr Howard's assertion showed a complete disregard for research undertaken by his own Government, and for the huge body of evidence put before the recent Senate Inquiry into Higher Education.
"The recent Senate Inquiry heard that between 1999 and 2000, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people commencing higher education fell by 15.2%, while total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student numbers fell by 8.1%. There are now less Indigenous Australians in higher education than there were in 1997, and commencements are now below 1995 levels. These abysmal figures stem directly from changes to ABSTUDY introduced by the Coalition Government which came into effect in January 2000." Dr. Allport said.
"Either Mr Howard has ignored the facts as heard and reported by the Senate Inquiry, or he is trying to deny the facts by making false statements. Either scenario gives little hope to Indigenous communities about the Government's commitment to them."
"The reduction in ABSTUDY benefits inflicted by the Coalition saved an estimated $19.53 million per annum, but have inflicted a much greater expense on Indigenous Australians and the community generally. We all stand to lose if Indigenous participation in higher education is allowed to wither as a result of an ideologically driven backlash against Indigenous programs." Dr Allport continued.
The NTEU argued that to restore ABSTUDY benefits to pre-2000 levels would require an estimated outlay of $19.53 million per annum.
"In October last year, we warned that the growth in Indigenous participation in higher education had slowed to the point that it was likely to stop. In our submission to the Coalition Government on the 2001 Budget, we argued for an increase in ABSTUDY expenditure. We have put detailed data to the Senate Inquiry, as have the Vice-Chancellors, students and Indigenous university staff. Clearly, John Howard has not listened."
"It is a matter of concern that the Prime Minister was unable to make accurate statements about the state of higher education for Indigenous people. In the lead up to November 10, we hope that a greater commitment is shown by all parties to repairing the Howard Government's damage to Indigenous Higher Education," Dr Allport concluded.