Students are ready to resist any attacks from the government. 25% fee increases, funding cuts and faster debt recovery are among unfair budget measures directed towards students.
Today we are expecting Minister Birmingham to hand down plans to gut the Higher Education sector in a last-minute meeting called with stakeholders in the sector.
“Any attacks on students and young people is an attack on the nations future. The state of higher education in Australia is an embarrassment compared to OECD averages and yet this government continues to cut funding, push the burden on disadvantaged students and continue to fail Australians.” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston.
“The Liberal’s are on course to present another horror budget which leaves students no choice but to respond with demonstrations and protests. A 25% fee increase will be one of the largest single fee increase in Australia’s history and will ensure that the process of pricing young people out of university begins.” Said education officer Anneke Demanuele
“Students can’t understand why this government continues to force students to pay for their budget when it cuts tax for the wealthy and does nothing about the grotesque sums of money lost to corporate tax evasion. What we are seeing is a reverse Robin Hood – taking from the poor to support the rich.”
As well as a 25% fee increase, the government has also put forward funding cuts to the tune of $900 million, the gutting of the Higher Education Participation and Partnership program, which helps lower socioeconomic kids go to university, and a lowering of the HECS repayment threshold.
“This constitutes a fundamental offensive against students. Funding cuts and fee increases means the path is cleared for even more expensive degrees and the introduction of an American style education systems where students are saddled with debt for the majority of their lives”
Students will be protesting in major cities on the 17th of May as part of the student response to the budget.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students