The National Union of Students Research department has released its paper Two Paths on Student Fees, outlining the global shift toward affordable or free higher education and warning the government against plans to gut the sector.

“The Liberal’s plans are in stark contrast with the direction the rest of the world is taking,” Said NUS President, Sophie Johnston, “There has been an overwhelming paradigm shift where countries are making serious investments in higher education, either introducing affordable or free education.”

The paper finds the significant electoral support for Jacinda Arden after announcing the NZ Labour free education platform:

“Drawing on the electoral success of Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders in attracting young voters; with promises that include free tertiary education, the new NZ Labour leader, Jacinda Arden, last week unveiled a new time-frame for the shift. NZ Labour had been polling around 25% when Arden became leader a few months ago. The most recent poll since the free education announcement, has put NZ Labour at 43% and ahead of the Nationals (41%) for the first time in 11 years.” it notes.

There is not just one strategy for funding affordable or free education. NZ Labour, New York, Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn all presented different platforms for the sector. The paper discusses the important role the ALP could play in Australia moving in this direction.

“We need Shorten’s Labor Party to not just oppose the core changes to HECS (increased student fees, lowering repayment threshold). A possible future Shorten government also needs to be looking at the recent examples across the world of moving to a more affordable system for students to access higher education. It is not good enough to just shift the repayment of high fees to after graduation and then claim that higher education is affordable.” it states.

According to the OECD report, Australia has the 6th highest fees in the OECD, coupled with one of the lowest capital expenditures on public higher education.

“There is no logical rationale behind the government’s education package. We’re moving into a drastically different workforce, where 40% of current jobs will be automated in the next 10-15 years according to CEDA estimates.” Said Ms Johnston. “Australia is going to seriously rely on a high quality, efficient higher education sector as the job market transitions.”

“Beyond the obvious benefits education has on boosting the economy, boosting jobs and industry, there is also an undeniable benefit to having a socially and civically responsible nation that comes from an open, affordable education system.” Said Johnston.

Recent AEC figures show almost 70% of new enrolments were voters 18-24, generally less likely to be Liberal voters.

“The government’s higher education bill is a huge mistake that could seriously damage the sector and could very well cost the government the next election.” Said NUS President, Sophie Johnston.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students