Battle lines drawn as Liberal attacks on students suggested

The National Union of Students is ready for the fight against any attacks on students expected to come out of the federal budget. The Liberal Government has indicated its intentions to push the cost of education even further onto students; increasing student contributions by 10% and lowering the HECS repayment threshold.

“Malcolm Turnbull and his Government have gone to war with Australia’s most vulnerable; they have consistently refused to invest in young people, they’ve gutted our income support system, gutted social services, and have made endless attempts to gut education.” Said NUS President, Sophie Johnston “We defeated $100K degrees in 2014 and we will defeat any plans to attack students in 2017”

“A 25% fee increase is an untenable option for students. This is an attempt for the government to save face. Deregulated fees were defeated by a movement of students in the streets, and any moves by the government to force students to pay higher fees will be resisted” said Anneke Demanuele, NUS Education Officer.

“We are outraged at suggestions the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program will be abolished. The government wants to massively increase fees and then remove programs that help lower socioeconomic young people go to university.” Said Demanuele.

Lowering the HECs repayment threshold to $45,000 will mean that graduates will have to pay back their debts much earlier and will place a huge burden on young people who have left university and are unable to find jobs in their chosen field.

“This government is intent on forcing students to pay more, at the same time it wants to give large business a free ride by cutting their tax rate. There is enough money in the system to fund free higher education. G08 modelling shows it would only cost an extra $8 billion a year to completely cut the cost of education for students. This is nothing compared to the $32 billion we spend on war or the $50 billion spending on submarines. The priorities of this government are geared towards the rich, and the poor and students are left out in the cold.” Said Ms Demanuele

Students will be protesting on May 17 against the Liberal government’s budget and any attempts to attack young people, with rallies to be held in capital cities across Australia.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students