Election an opportunity to improve education in the north

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) applauds the James Cook University Postgraduate Association (JCUPSA) for promising a tough line with candidates for the marginal seat of Herbert at tomorrow's "meet the candidates' at JCU.

"The higher education debate will be an important part of community debate as we move towards the election, especially in seats containing regional universities," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

"Since coming to power in 1996, the Howard government has stripped universities of around five billion dollars in funding, failed to index grants to account for staff wage increases, allowed class sizes to balloon, and the academic workforce to age considerably as under- funding limits employment opportunities for new researchers," Mr Horton continued.

"For regional universities, ongoing under-funding is especially detrimental. Students can't just go to another university's library for a book if their own library doesn't have what they need. If their universities facilities are running down, travel expenses to access necessary equipment can be huge.

"For a university like JCU, which is a major employer in Townsville, and the tertiary entry point for students from North Queensland, the ongoing mismanagement of our universities is a great threat," Mr Horton concluded.

CAPA has released a challenge to the major parties to address key issues in postgraduate education in the lead-up to the election. A media kit on these issues is available here:

http://www.capa.edu.au/Election2004/ElecMediaKit020904.pdf

A full set of CAPA election material is available at:

http://www.capa.edu.au/frameset.html?./Election2004/Election030904.html

The JCUPSA will be taking part in the Herbert Election Candidates Forum to be held at JCU tomorrow (Friday 10th), at 12.30pm outside the Refectory. For media inquiries of CAPA, see details below. For inquiries of JCUPSA please contact Terri Mac Donald, JCUPSA President, on 0411 480 373.