NTEU SUPPORTS CALLS FOR GREATER ACTION ON STUDENT POVERTY
April 12, 2005
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) supports rallies taking place in a number of metropolitan capital cities today calling for improvements to student income support.
“The Union completely agrees with the National Union of Students that growing levels of student poverty are unacceptable,” said Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and Research Coordinator.
“As things currently stand, students are paying more than ever before for the cost of their university education, with the cost of a Government subsidised university place having increased by over 73% in real terms between 1996 and 2005.”
“The rising cost of attending university, both in terms of increased fees as well as rising ancillary and living costs is a growing burden on students and their families, particularly to those students who have traditionally been excluded from entry.”
“The levels of income support received by students is not only well below the Henderson Poverty line, but has also become increasingly difficult to access with Government changes to eligibility criteria leaving many students in need, unable to access support”.
“NTEU is concerned that the absence of adequate student income support schemes has created a situation where many students will simply be priced out of a university education”.
“The increasing cost of education, in conjunction with the closure of many student support services as a result of the Government’s so called Voluntary Student Unionism legislation passed late last year, means that many students, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, will not be able to continue their studies,” said Nette.
For Further Information and Comment Contact:
Emma Cull, NTEU Policy and Research Officer: 03 9254 1910 or 0417 660 112