CAPA & NATSIPA’s Joint response to the Accords Interim Report Bill

Download: CAPA & NATSIPA’s Joint response to the Accords Interim Report Bill

CAPA and NATSIPA are pleased to welcome the five immediate recommendations mentioned in the University Accords Interim Report. For years we have opposed the 50% pass rate for CSP recipients deeming this policy to be unfair to the most disadvantaged, that CSP should be guaranteed to all First Nations students that are accepted into a course irrespective of where they live; and that universities need to change how they operate as institutions of higher learning. We look forward to addressing the numerous other discussion points raised by our members.

Recommendations:
We are satisfied with the immediate recommendations noted in the University Accords Interim Report but believe:

1. Increasing HDR stipends are of immediate concern to the welfare of HDR students.
2. Increasing accessibility to Austudy & ABSTUDY and its payment rate is the most effective means to ensure students of lower SES backgrounds can access the same education in-person like everyone else if they choose to.
3. ‘Increased reporting’ should be non-invasive to ensure such processes do not increase anxiety and distress for students that are already facing difficulties managing their studies.
4. That Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their student representatives should be involved in each step of consultations for policies that involve their education and that ISSP funding be increased to a level that not only responds to current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student numbers but also provides for planning and future increases in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments.
5. That the proposal for a levy on international student income be abandoned.