ACT questions the future of higher education
22 September 2004
Staff and students of the ACT’s four publicly funded universities, along with the local Canberra community, will have the chance to hear from local candidates in the Federal Election about their party’s higher education policies. A forum being organised this Thursday, Sept 23rd, by the ACT Division of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), will be held at the Haydon Allen Lecture Theatre at the Australian National University (ANU). ( download flyer here)
“Higher education is a particularly important issue in this election. HECS fees have already doubled since 1996 and with the Government’s recent higher education ‘reforms’, from 2005 universities can charge up to an additional 25% HECS fees,” said Rachael Bahl, Vice President General of the NTEU ACT Division.
Although ANU and Australian Catholic University have decided not to increase their fees for 2005, the University of Canberra has announced a 20% increase in HECS fees in all eligible courses.
“This will add to the increasing burden for ACT students. Not only has this Government shifted more of the costs onto students and their families, they have neglected to adequately fund existing university places and create new places to meet unmet demand”.
“The price differential between Canberra’s universities will mean that there will be even greater competition for places. Local students may be forced out of local universities by increased demand for places at institutions with lower fees. ANU stands out as the only Group of Eight University not to raise HECS fees in 2005. Many local students will be forced to look elsewhere or be among the 20,000 students Australia wide who miss out on a university place altogether” said Ms Bahl.
“Reduced government funding will also put mounting pressure on those institutions who have not yet increased their fees, to do so in the coming years. Universities need adequate government funding and infrastructure if they are to provide quality teaching and research”.
“Regardless of the outcome of the election on October 9th, government funding needs to ensure that ACT families have access to affordable, quality education that does not place the burden further onto students and their families”.
Those speaking at the forum are:
Adam Giles, Liberal candidate for the House of
Representatives seat of Fraser
David Smith, ALP candidate for the ACT Senate
Kerrie Tucker, Greens candidate for the ACT Senate
Rachael Jacobs, Democrats candidate for the ACT Senate
James Vassilopoulos, Socialist Alliance candidate for the House
of Representatives seat of Fraser.
The forum is one of many being organised by NTEU Branches at universities across the country, as part of the Union’s Federal Election campaign.
DETAILS OF THE FORUM ARE AS FOLLOWS:
When: Thursday 23rd September 2004, 7pm
Where: Haydon Allen Lecture Theatre (“The Tank”), Australian National University
FOR INFORMATION and COMMENT CONTACT:
Rachael Bahl Vice President (General), NTEU ACT Division
PH: (02) 6209 1118