INCREASING COSTS, DECLINING FUNDING FOCUS OF NTEU CAMPAIGN IN HERBERT
7 September 2004
The National Tertiary Education Union’s (NTEU) Federal Election campaign in the Federal House of Representatives seat Herbert will focus on the increasing cost of getting higher education and the declining public funding to our public universities under the Howard Government.
As part of this effort, a television advertisement highlighting the need for university places to be provided on potential student’s academic merit and not their bank balance, has began screening in Townsville and will run for the next four weeks.
“The advertisement is one of many activities the James Cook University NTEU Branch is undertaking to publicise to voters the issues facing our public universities, both in Townsville and nationally,” said Paul Reser, NTEU Vice President Academic and a lecturer at the local university.
“Although JCU has chosen not to increase its fees next year, under the current Government HECS has already doubled and accommodation and other costs incurred by students have also increased.”
“This is a major worry given JCU’s student profile, which includes very high proportions of school leavers from low socio-economic backgrounds and remote areas of the state.”
“The Union is also concerned about the possibility of a further increase in HECS after 2005.”
“Another issue that the NTEU’s campaign is keen to highlight in the lead-up to October 9 is the uncertain future of the two local Cooperative Research Centers for Reef and Rainforest studies, Commonwealth funding for which ends in 2005.”
“In addition to carrying out research of national importance, both Centers provide many JCU students with opportunities to further their research that they do not otherwise have,” said Reser.
As part of its election campaign activities, the JCU NTEU Branch is organising a forum for local candidates to outline their views on higher education issues. This will take place on Friday, September 10 at 12.30pm, in the Student Refectory at Douglas.
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President, will be in Townsville for the forum and is available for interviews.
For comment:
Paul Reser, NTEU Vice President Academic: 0438 796 451
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President: 0419 349 064