Councial of Australian Postgraduate Associations's Main RSS FEED

Crisis in Australian universities set to continue

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.

CAPA welcomes initiative of Victorian Nationals on VSU Bill

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.

Nelson's VSU Bill - Dire Consequences for Australian Universities

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.

Liberal's 'Family First' will put gay students last

Potential attacks on the W.A gay law reforms have direct repercussions for the access of queer students to higher education, say representatives from queer and educational organisations.

New CAPA Office-Bearers look forward to a challenging 2005

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Association's 2005 Office Bearers face a challenging year in 2005, representing Australia's 247,000 postgraduates to a government bent on destroying student representation.

"This will be a big year for postgraduate students and the postgraduate associations which represent them," said Stephen Horton who continues as CAPA President this year after a successful year as President in 2004.

Postgrads a threatened species at Charles Darwin University

Postgraduate students at Charles Darwin University are preparing for a drawn out campaign on inadequate facilities and resources, while the University admits that Federal funding meant to support postgraduate research has been diverted to other areas.

Research students have been told that they will no longer be able to use departmental office space, and have set up a "tent embassy' on the grounds of the University in protest. Students intend to take out advertisements in local media asking for support from future students.

Thumbs up for the ALP's research and innovation package

'Enterprise Australia', the ALP's new science and innovation policy package, received a big thumbs up from the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations today - though more detail is still needed.

"The ALP have done what Minister Nelson has been too scared to do - dump the Research Training Scheme and other messy funding measures and start afresh," said CAPA President Stephen Horton today.

CAPA applauds Democrats Higher Education policy

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Association welcomes the Australian Democrats higher education policy, and their commitment to free education.

International students 'feel the squeeze' too

Students coming from overseas to study in Australia have borne much of the brunt of the continuing decline in the funding and quality of Australian higher education. CAPA calls on the major parties to make a commitment to extend the same benefits to international students as local students enjoy. These include free public health care, free public education for their dependants, and more liberal work allowances under student visas.

ALP Policy Lacks Commitment to Overcome Coalition Legacy

The National Indigenous Postgraduate Association Aboriginal Corporation (NIPAAC) welcomes some aspects of the Australian Labor Party's newly released policy for Indigenous-Australians.