TV SPOTS KICK OFF NTEU CAMPAIGN AROUND ELECTION 2004
5th September 2004
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) kicks off its campaign in the lead-up to the October 9 election today with television advertising in selected marginal seats highlighting the increasing cost of a university degree under the Howard Government.
‘University places on merit not money’ is the theme of the NTEU’s TV spots, which will run over the coming weeks in selected marginal seats in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory. (click here to download lo-res MPEG of the advert)
“The advertisement is part of a broader campaign aimed at publicising to voters the issues facing our public universities, particularly the increasing costs of a university degree, and urging them to take these into consideration on October 9,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“This campaign will include paid media, public forums and other face-to-face campaign activities over the next five weeks in 10 Coalition-held marginal House of Representatives seats (details of seats are attached).
“Focus groups conducted by the NTEU show deep concern, especially amongst parents, about the rising cost of higher education and mounting levels of student debt.”
“Although you won’t see references to it in the Coalition’s campaign literature, HECS fees have doubled since 1996 while at the same time Government funding to our universities has declined. The Commonwealth now spends more on private schools than it does on our university system, threatening the future quality of education that our public universities will be able to deliver.”
“If the Howard Government is re-elected the situation will get worse. From 2005, universities can put their HECS fees up by 25% and it will be easier for students to buy a full fee place at a cost of up to $100,000 or more with marks less than the cut off score for a HECS place.”
“Media reports earlier this week revealed that students will be charged more than $100,000 for degrees in almost 50 courses from 2005, and Melbourne University is considering charging as much as $215,000 for a medical degree.”
“These changes are unfair and unaffordable for most Australians,” said Dr Allport. “If they are allowed to happen they will threaten the important principle of a fair go. Getting into University should be about your merit not money.”
“It is vital that voters at the upcoming election don’t give the Coalition a chance to further price them and their families out of a university degree.”
In addition to marginal seats, the NTEU will be active on campuses nationally to publicise the issues facing staff, including the need to protect university independence and strengthen their workplace rights.
FOR INFORMATION AND COMMENT:
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President: 0419 349 064
Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and Research Coordinator: 0438 026277
More information is also available from the www.nteu.org.au/campaigns/election2004