UNIVERSITY of Newcastle students have joined their counterparts from across the country to rally against the federal government’s proposed deregulation of university fees.
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About 100 students and staff gathered outside the Auchmuty Library at Callaghan to listen to speakers discuss the impact of proposed changes to higher education as part of a national day of action.
Students association president Clare Swan said the Australian higher sector was at risk of becoming an American style two-tier system.
‘‘We need more funding, not slashed budgets and the ridiculous agenda to copy a broken American two-tiered system,’’ she said.
‘‘Eighty per cent of Australians disagree with deregulating a system that supports one million students, who are studying for not only themselves but to give their families and communities a better future.’’
Greens Newcastle candidate Michael Osborne, who addressed the rally, said concerns about education issues had risen to prominence throughout the election campaign.
‘‘Lots of people have been ringing up and emailing about education this election. They are concerned about everything from early childhood education through to the changes to higher education,’’ he said.
‘‘Education should be free in Australia and it’s something that we need to be transitioning towards.’’
The federal government’s proposed changes to higher education, that would result in some degrees costing more than $100,000, were defeated in the Senate for a second time last week. The government has vowed to push ahead with its reform plan.
The government wants to allow universities to set their own fees, expand government funding to private providers and abolish loan fees for vocational students.
The government has backed away from threats to dump $150 million of science research funding.
