MEDIA RELEASE
LABOR MISLEADS ON HIGHER EDUCATION – AGAIN
24 June, 2003 MIN 382/03
Labor’s Education spokesperson has today claimed
that under the Government’s Higher Education Reforms, universities
would only receive additional taxpayer funds if they raise their
HECS fees.
"We do expect to see many other universities put
up their fees by the full 30% because the Government is saying to
universities, ‘this is the only way you are going to get increased
funding. You’re only going to get increased funding at our
universities if you put up fees’."
Jenny Macklin, Doorstop Parliament House, 24
June 2003
This is not true.
University Vice Chancellors argued for some fee
flexibility in the reform package.
Under the new arrangements it will be entirely up to
universities if they raise or lower fees, within a range of $0 to
30% above the HECS rate. (Nursing and Teaching fees cannot be raised
at all, but may be lowered).
Some universities, such as the University of
Tasmania, the University of Wollongong, the University of Western
Sydney, the University of New England, the University of Ballarat
and Macquarie University have already indicated that they either do
not plan to raise fees at all or in only a few courses.
Whether a university chooses to vary fees up or down
has absolutely no impact on the flow of the $1.5 billion in
additional Commonwealth funding provided for universities in the
reform package over the next four years.
The Labor Party is misleading the community again.
Media Contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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