Original Publish Date; 25 March, 2015
Supporters opposing Education Minister Christopher Pyne’s proposed university fee deregulation marched the streets of Melbourne in protest today.
Rose Steele, National Union of Students President, publically stated the union had pushed to dismiss the fee deregulation bill twice “and when Christopher Pyne comes around again on this one we’ll get it thrown out again.”
Thousands of students, union supporters, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), community members and media attended the nation-wide held speeches.
Ms Steele argued that “The quality of university degrees has been decreasing and deregulating university fees will not fix this problem and the public agrees.”
The NSU demand fee regulation, increased funding for universities and a fairer student income support system. These are all affected by Pyne’s proposed $2 billion cuts.
Ms Steele states that “Pyne wants universities which support only the privileged” …“the public wants democratic universities where we are part of the decision making process.”
Australian HECS and FEEhelp supported education have created an environment where anyone can apply for university regardless of socio-economic factors.
Over 80% of students are HECS liable.
Currently, 33 per cent of students were born overseas and only 1.4 per cent of student enrolments are comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
These are under-represented factions according to the NUS who argue that fee deregulation will only lower the current access these groups have to higher education.
Hannah Smith of the student union has said, “In overseas examples of university deregulation, it is the marginalised groups such as indigenous, queer students and the economically disadvantaged that miss out the most.”
Phoebe Luhrs, a member of the protest commented “it’s ridiculous that our parents had free education and they’re trying to take that away from us now.”
Ms Smith has said “Education Minister Christopher Pyne made it clear he will bring the bill again this year and this threat has been reaffirmed by his colleagues.”
“We’re sending a message to Pyne that says we aren’t going away, we’re getting attention from the public which speaks volumes to the government,” said Ms Smith.
Photo reference; Daily Mail Online http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/06/article-0-0000313800000578-729_468x335.jpg
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