NUS is shocked at the revelation in the Coalition’s policy costings that an Abbott Government would slash programs to increase low SES participation in universities by 70%.
“This is so indicative of how the Liberals perceive higher education. By slashing the funding of universities on the basis of their delivery of a 20% target for low SES student participation, Tony Abbott has pulled the rug from under these important equity reforms established under Labor,” said Carla Drakeford, President of the National Union of Students.
“This is an easy shot for the Liberals, who, while in government never indexed or increase the rates of student income support to help students out. This, coupled with their policy to reintroduce Domestic Undergraduate Full Fees (DUFFs) shows that they believe higher education should be only for those who can pay,” she said.
“Universities will lose critical funding and Australian students will suffer from the reduced chance of participating in universities. NUS echoes the remarks made by Professor Ross Milbourne – this policy is short sighted and ignores the recommendations of the Bradley Review,” she said.
“After lengthy consultations with the sector including student groups, the Bradley Review developed comprehensive plans to increase low SES participation over the next decade. The Bradley Review also stressed the economic benefits that will flow from increased participation which the Liberals will be ignoring if these cuts are enacted with the election of a Coalition government,” she said.
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Carla Drakeford National President National Union of Students
