CAPA Media Releases

In the lead up to the October federal election, NIPAAC is calling on political parties and all voters to recognise that Indigenous-Australians need a voice, and to support the continuation of a reformed ATSIC.

"On Friday the procedurally unfair suspension of Geoff Clarke was reversed. We are now urging the Government to re-visit the unfair decision to disband ATSIC - the duly elected peak organisation that represents Indigenous-Australians," NIPAAC President Vicki-Ann Speechley- Golden announced.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Association's welcomed the Labor Party's announcement today that it would repeal the Research Training Scheme (RTS) if elected.

"The RTS allocates postgraduate research places to universities using a formula which rewards institutions with high completion rates. That might sound like a good idea, but it's a simplistic practice which encourages universities to enrol 'safe' students.

Students across the country will protest against the Federal government's user- pays higher education regime today, in a National Day of Action. Recent deregulation of the HECS scheme has led to protest at many campuses, as universities take up the opportunity to raise their HECS fees up to 25% above current levels.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations reacted with disappointment to the release of an evaluation report on research funding by Education Minister Brendan Nelson today. The report, Evaluation of Knowledge and Innovation Reforms Consultation Report looks at sector response to the 1999 research reforms undertaken by then Minister for Education, David Kemp.

"HECS fees are increasing by twenty-five percent, while postgraduate coursework fees remain deregulated and can be tens of thousands of dollars. Now these students to being asked to pay an extra eight per cent on the cost of their text books," said CAPA President Stephen Horton today.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations applauds Senator Natasha Stott Despoja's defence of the Educational Textbook Subsidy, and encourages Australians to show their support for the textbook subsidy by signing the Democrats on-line petition.

NUS and CAPA today jointly condemned the Federal Government's latest attempt to kill off campus life and silence dissent against the government's unpopular increases in student fees.

The Government has reneged on the undertakings it gave to the four Independents Senators and will proceed with trying to get the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up front Union Fees) Bill passed. The bill is likely to be debated in the House of Representatives next week.

"The Federal Government's plans to introduce voluntary student unionism legislation is the latest example of their short-sighted approach to higher education 'reform' and must be opposed by all who claim to represent the interests of higher education," said CAPA President Stephen Horton today.

"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.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations is asking Australians to oppose the government's suggested tax cuts.

"The Treasurer has announced a $7.5 billion budget surplus--$3.6 billion more than expected. Mr Costello is suggesting returning some of this surplus to Australians through tax cuts. We say, return it to us through decent university funding, through investment in public health care. Return it to us in ways from which all Australians will benefit," said CAPA President Benjamin McKay today.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations calls upon Australia's 226,612 postgraduates to walk off campus along side their academic and general staff colleagues on October the 16th, as the National Tertiary Education Industry Union launches national strike action in protest at the government's proposed reforms of the higher education sector. The reforms include harsh industrial requirements.

"Minister Nelson, and the recently re-shuffled Tony Abbott, have put forward proposals for industrial reform which won't be tolerated," said CAPA President Benjamin McKay today.