Tonight (Monday) the Government confirmed its agenda to abandon Australia’s young people and students.
Minister Birmingham confirmed a number of cuts to Higher Education funding, increasing student fees and lowering the repayment threshold on HECS.
“There are no silver linings to this budget when the burden of debt is being forced on students.” Said NUS President, Sophie Johnston “All we’re seeing from this budget is short-term, band-aid solutions instead of investing in the long-term prosperity of Australia.”
“This budget is an embarrassment for us as a nation when countries across the world are investing in high quality, well funded education sectors.” Said Johnston
NUS Education Officer, Anneke Demanuele said “Universities have gone from being centres of education to becoming institutions with the profit motive firmly at the centre of their operations. Courses are cut and content moved online, teaching and administration staff are fired all while the price of education goes up. Education used to be free in Australia, and it could be again if the government increased funding, instead of ripping funding from universities.”
“This government has cut tax rates for businesses, does nothing about the fact that the 200 largest companies in Australia pay little to no tax and continue to give massive subsidies to the mining bosses.” Said Demanuele.
“Students will not let this government rip funding from universities or increase our fees. We will be in the streets on the 17th of May. A $2 billion funding cut will be passed on to students. We will see our fees rise without an increase in the quality of education. In 2014 students rendered the Abbott government unable to push through $100,000 degrees, and contributed to Abbott’s political implosion. If Malcolm Turnbull and Simon Birmingham think they can escape the same treatment, they are wrong.” Ms Demanuele said “The National Union of Students is coordinating a national day of action against the budget. We will not let these attacks go unopposed”.
Protest Details –
Wednesday May 17
Melbourne – 2pm, State Library of Victoria
Sydney – 2pm, University of New South Wales
Adelaide – 3pm, Parliament of South Australia
Perth – 2pm, Murray Street Mall
Canberra – 12:30, Union Court – Australian National University
Brisbane – Thursday May 18, 1pm, King George Square
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students