ALP Aims Higher than Nelson

"The ALP's "Aim Higher" education policy package, released today, shows that we can fund an improved higher education system without emptying student's pockets," said CAPA President Benjamin McKay this morning.

"The Liberal party's response to the funding crisis in Australian higher education has been to burden students with increased fees," he continued. "For example, under Minister Nelson, Australians choosing to defer payment of fees for postgraduate coursework studies would repay their loans at a commercial rate of interest."

While the ALP does not plan to abolish full fees for postgraduate coursework students, it does extend the number of HECS places for postgraduate coursework students studying teaching and nursing, creating 500 new HECS places for each discipline by 2005. These changes would be funded by adjustments to the taxation system, rather than fee hikes.

"The ALP would provide more HECS places for postgraduate coursework, 300 three year postdoctoral places, new scholarships for indigenous students, and make some small but worthwhile changes to Austudy and other student assistance schemes," Mr McKay said. "Overall, the ALP has aimed higher than Minister Nelson."

The ALP could have aimed higher still, by finding a more immediate solution to the crisis caused by the Liberal's $5 billion worth of cuts since entering office. Labor offers only $2.34 billion, with the majority coming toward 2007. "It's a good start," McKay concluded. "We look forward to the visionary research policy which the ALP has promised in the near future."