Download: Report_Small.pdf
A report card rating political parties on their higher education policies was released by the National Union of Students today. On seven different issues facing students, the report card gives highest marks to the Australian Labor Party and the Greens.
“University students have been largely ignored in this election. Students deserve access to an election form guide that outlines the policies affecting them and their education,” said Carla Drakeford, President of the National Union of Students
“Overall the Greens rated well with policies such as an increase in Youth Allowance payments and a $50 million put aside in NRAS for student accommodation. While the Labor Party has made or announced several significant reforms during their term of government it has failed to commit to any additional funding to students or to universities,” she said.
“NUS is incredibly concerned that the Coalition has reaffirmed that they will reintroduce domestic undergraduate full fees and has not ruled out introducing a HECS increase. If these two policies are implemented, universities will go back to be being an inequitable system that disadvantages students from low SES backgrounds,” she said.
“This report card will be distributed on all university campuses through their student unions and activists will be urging students to vote for the party which best represents their needs as a university students,” she said.
Carla Drakeford National President National Union of Students
