Today, election TV advertising for the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) “Smart Vote” campaign starts in Tasmania highlighting the importance of university funding and backing the Greens in the Senate.
“Australia’s universities are under increasing pressure from decades of underfunding by both Labor and the Coalition,” said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.
“Labor’s cuts to higher education in Tasmania put up to 150 jobs and $10 million per annum at risk.
“The University of Tasmania (UTAS) pumps about $500 million into the local economy every year, employs nearly 3,000 academic and professional staff directly, and has nearly 30,000 students enrolled.
“You can’t support the Tasmanian economy and Tasmanian jobs if you are cutting UTAS funding,” Senator Whish-Wilson concluded.
Dr John Kenny, Secretary of the Tasmanian Division, said the NTEU was backing the only party who has guaranteed to restore adequate funding for higher education.
“Higher education has always been a high priority for the Greens,” said Dr Kenny.
“The Greens opposed the Labor Government’s $2.3 billion cut to universities and student support in April of this year.
“Peter Whish-Wilson has condemned the cuts to UTAS and he has argued strongly for the need to invest in new industries and innovation to build the Tasmanian economy and create lasting and meaningful jobs,” Dr. Kenny concluded.
The NTEU TV advertisements are part of a $1 million campaign nationwide and will air across Tasmania from tonight urging people to vote for the Greens in the Senate.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania
