Students, young people fear for our futures

The National Union of Students fear today’s young people will face a lifetime of debt as the government hands down its priorities in today’s budget announcement.

“This budget will expose where this Government’s priorities lie.” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston, “Unfortunately, we already know what this budget will mean for students and young people.”

“This generation will be the first priced out of the housing market, underemployment is rife, and low wage growth has been stagnant for decades.

“But instead of investing in young people’s futures, the government could give big corporate businesses a 50 billion dollar tax break while the shovell the debt burden onto students.

“Students will face fee increases and a worse quality education if the Liberal’s go ahead with 2.8 billion dollars of cuts; that could be the difference between a young person accessing education, getting the opportunities it provides for them, and not accessing it at all.” Johnston said.

NUS will prioritise measures around welfare and income support that will be announced in today’s budget.

“Income support is crucial to many students accessing higher education and any attacks on welfare will be met with resistance.

“Education, welfare and health are key investments in ensuring Australia has a bright future and that our younger generations will be left with opportunities and not a lifetime of debt.

The NUS has called for national protests in response to the budget on May 17 in major cities across Australia.

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/746528358860728/

The NUS petition to Stop the War on Young People has already received over 5,200 signatures.

Petition: https://www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/stop-the-war-on-students
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students