The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, will join the National Tertiary Education Union’s (NTEU) Assistant National Secretary, Matt McGowan, and Tasmanian Division Secretary, Dr John Kenny, to announce the NTEU’s endorsement of his re-election campaign.
“The tertiary education sector is of paramount importance to Tasmania in general, and Hobart in particular, so to have the NTEU’s endorsement is a true honour,” Mr Wilkie said.
“I’m also heartened to hear that the NTEU will actively campaign for my re-election in Denison.
“UTas is a great Tasmanian institution and tertiary education is crucial to our state’s future. That’s why it’s so important that Tasmanian politicians and candidates present a strong front against the Federal Government’s $2.8 billion cuts to universities and university students.
“This brings the total funding cuts over the last two years to some $5bn and means Australian universities are now underfunded by $1bn every year.
“The Government’s planned cuts will cost about 150 jobs at UTas alone.
“I simply don’t accept the Government’s excuse that ripping money out of tertiary education is needed for school funding reform. Australia is one of the richest countries in the world and we can afford both great schools and great universities.”
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Denison
