MEDIA RELEASE- CAPA condemns government plans for 25% increases to university student fees
3 May 2016-The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) condemns the continued uncertainty fuelled by the hollow and meaningless promises contained within the 2016/2017 Federal Budget. The Federal Budget preserves the most unjust elements of the horror Abbott budget of 2014 with its substantial cuts to teaching in higher education. However, CAPA welcomes the end of the flawed and economically irresponsible fee deregulation policy proposed in the 2014 budget.
CAPA National President Jim Smith says, “With this budget, the government has shown that it has no viable plan for higher education, instead continuing with the disastrous 25% funding cuts proposed in the 2014 Abbott budget and a shifting of that cost burden to struggling students.”
“The Government seems to be more interested in hiding its plans for higher education prior to an election, which prevents voters from making a well-informed decision at the ballot box.”
The shelving of fee deregulation (for now) is a blatant admission that the policy would bring about $100,000 degrees and dramatically accelerate inequality in Australia. The Government must commit to never bringing back the policy, and come clean on its plan prior to the July 2 election.
The cuts to the Higher Education Participation Programme (HEPP) cuts of $152.2 million over four years show that the Government is not concerned with supporting access to tertiary education for students from poorer and less privileged families. These programs have a long track record of success, having increased the proportion of students from low-SES and indigenous backgrounds. The Government’s ‘job of the future’ rhetoric clearly does not extend to those not coming from wealthy private schools.
CAPA is also concerned by massive cuts of $20.9 million over four years to the Promotion of Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education program. The Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) projects made possible by this funding assist in developing new and innovative methods of teaching and learning at our universities. Asking students to adapt to 21st century jobs with 20th century teaching leaves the Government one hundred years behind their own rhetoric.
CAPA furthermore condemns the cuts to youth allowance payments for students entering the tertiary system. The proposed cuts of 3% will place students in an even more precarious position, with many students living week-to-week and below the poverty line on their current inadequate payments.
“CAPA calls on the Government to commit to a real consultation process that includes the voices of the students, who are key stakeholders in the sector. Instead of cutting support for equitable access programs and innovative teaching and learning initiatives, the Government needs to place equity and quality at the heart of any future policy,” concluded Mr Smith.
ENDS
For comment: Jim Smith, National President, CAPA: 0437 006 605 / president@capa.edu.au
