CAPA welcomes ALP's plans to abolish university fees

"The ALP's promise to roll back some of the worst aspects of the Federal Government's higher education 'reforms' is very promising," said CAPA President Stephen Horton today.

"Mark Latham's recent commitment, made at the ALP national conference, to abolish the Government's full-fee system is indeed good news. While CAPA deal specifically with postgraduate issues, we recognise the flow-on effect of fee increases whether this be HECS , PELS or any other student debt. The higher education community has to recognise that an attack on any section of our community is an attack against all of us, and respond in kind," said Mr Horton.

"One of the major tasks facing CAPA for 2004 is to ensure higher education issues are at the forefront of the this year's federal election," Mr Horton continued. "CAPA will be assessing all candidates' track records on higher education issues, monitoring their commitment to higher education and playing an active role in the upcoming federal election."

"It was impressive that last year Gough Whitlam stated that the greatest achievement of his government was the introduction of free education," Mr Horton concluded.