CAPA Media Releases

The long awaited release of the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee report into the Provisions of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) Bill 2005, confirms the sector belief that the Government is not interested in reasonable discussion of the legislation.

"Government members of this Committee have put ideology not only before reasoned argument, but also before the interests of students, their families, the higher education sector and the Australian economy", said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

Students and staff of postgraduate student organisations will today join other students and community members across the country in a National Day of Action opposing the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) Bill 2005.

"As Minister Nelson refuses to reach any compromises on amending the Bill, students are again uniting to defend their quality of education," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

At their State Conference last weekend, the Queensland Nationals joined their colleagues in Victoria and NSW in expressing concern over the ramifications of the Higher Education Support Amendment [Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees] Bill 2005.

"Clearly, the Government has failed to allay community fears about the impact on welfare services, academic advocacy, orientation programs, sporting clubs, pastoral care, and support for international students", said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations is wary of the decision of the Minister for Education to abolish the Australian Research Council Board.

"Minister Nelson already has shown his willingness to use his powers under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 and reject peer approved research funding applications.

"Now, the peer review approval process for research funding is in greater jeopardy, because an important element of independent scrutiny has been removed," stated CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Australian Democrats' spokesperson for Higher Education, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, has today introduced a Private Member's Bill to the Senate, which will extend tax exemption status to eligible part-time scholarships, including research scholarships.

"The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations has long been campaigning for the removal of this unjust imposition on the most disadvantaged of our research students. We are delighted that Senator Stott Despoja has introduced this amendment," announced CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations expresses its support and solidarity with the National Day of Protest Action called on June 1 by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).

"It is in the interests of all groups in the sector to unite in the struggle against the concerted effort of this Government to erode the rights of students and staff alike. These attacks threaten the independence of universities to collect student services fees, fund student organisations and negotiate their own employment arrangements," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations applauds the initiative of the Federal member for New England, Tony Windsor, in proposing amendments to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005.

"Student organisations provide accommodation, financial assistance, sporting facilities, social clubs and activities, academic services, cultural and artistic support and pastoral care. The effects on students should these services cease to exist will be devastating," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations condemns the failure of the 2005 Federal Budget to address the dire financial condition of Australia's universities.

"In a year of significant budget surplus, the neglect of the higher education sector is an indication of this Government's real agenda. Far from caring about maintaining a high quality and internationally competitive university system, the Government is intent on driving the sector into the ground," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations welcomes the resolution adopted at the State Conference of the Victorian National Party calling on the Federal Government to amend the so-called Higher Education Support Amendment [Abolition of Compulsory Up- front Student Union Fees] Bill 2005 by adopting the current Victorian model of Voluntary Student Union membership.

Despite opposition from all major stakeholder groups in the higher education sector, the government have tabled their Abolition of Compulsory Up-Front Student Union Fees Bill 2005. The entire sector are dissatisfied with the Government's proposed legislation from Vice Chancellors right through to students.