POLITICAL PARTIES GIVE VOTERS A CLEAR CHOICE ON THE FUTURE OF OUR UNIVERSITIES
October 7 2004
On October 9 it is vital that voters don’t give the Coalition a chance to further price them and their families out of a university degree and further decrease public funding to our universities, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said on Thursday.
“Our public universities have been firmly on the radar screen throughout much of this election, despite what has clearly been a deliberate attempt by the Coalition, including Prime Minister Howard, to minimise and discourage discussion on this vital policy area,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“As a result, the Australian public faces a clear choice on Saturday in terms of which political parties present the best policies for ensuring a high quality, properly resourced and affordable university system for our kids.”
“Although the Coalition has not mentioned it in any of their campaign literature, HECS fees have doubled since 1996, while Government funding to our universities has declined.”
“If the Coalition is re-elected on Saturday this trend will continue. The Coalition will allow universities to increase HECS fees from 2005 and there will be more university places for sale at costs of up to $100,000.”
“In contrast to the Coalition’s silence, Labor has heavily promoted education and the importance of university access on merit and not money.”
“The updated higher education policy released by Labor this week promises to scrap the 25% HECS increases.”
“Labor’s policy also includes an improved indexation mechanism that offers universities access to a secure stream of improved public funding without the need to increase the burden on students and their families in terms of increased fees and charges.”
“The Greens and Democrats have also released higher education policies during the campaign that emphasise the broader economic and social returns from public investment in education for all Australians” said Dr Allport.
“Both these parties will continue to promote and protect the interests of our public universities in the Senate.”
“The NTEU has been campaigning nationally and in key marginal seats during the election to raise awareness of the higher education policies of all the political parties and to urge voters to consider the future of our universities when they cast their vote.”
Information and Comment:
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President: 0419 349 064
Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and Research Coordinator: 0438 026277