The National Union of Students is appalled by the report handed down today into the Higher Education Amendment Bill. The report highlights how seriously out-of-touch our politicians are; with students barely mentioned and absence of a coherent solution for the sector.

The report failed to acknowledge the rapidly shifting labour-force. ABS data found that in the next 10-15 years, 40% of current jobs will be replaced by computers meaning Australia will need to undergo a huge retraining exercise and a seriously underfunded education sector.

This Bill is ripping opportunities from young people making it far more difficult to access the training needed to enter the labour-force.

“But beyond the direct impact on students, the Bill desperately neglects to recognise the spillover effects of higher education. In 2014, for every 1000 graduates, 140 jobs were created for people who never went to university at all.” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston

“At a time when jobs and wage growth is in crisis, why would we be gutting the single biggest asset to creating employment opportunities for Australians.” continued Ms Johnston.

Australia already has one of the lowest spending on Higher Education in the OECD, sitting at 0.7% of GDP despite making a return of 8% of GDP.

“Scott Morrison goes on about budget repairs and ‘bad debt’ but turns around and decides Australia’s 3rd greatest export is not a sound investment” said Johnston, “But apart from the benefits to the economy, to jobs, and to industry; investing in education ensures a socially responsible nation and the right that young people in the country should be afforded”.

“Australia is falling behind the rest of the world. We’re going further backwards, despite New York removing tuition fees for low and middle income earners, and across the UK the emerging consensus is that exhorbitantly high fees will seriously hurt the nation.” said Johnston

“The Liberal’s need to wake up to themselves and this seriously incoherent Bill.”
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students