[Greens-Media] Greens reject Nationals plan for two tier system for student services

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

09.08.05

Greens reject Nationals plan for two tier system for student services


Greens Education spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle today indicated The
Greens opposition to The National's plans to support legislation which
would lead to the collapse of essential student services in all
universities whilst subsidising some services in a small number of rural
and regional universities. 

"I visited 17 campuses in the last three months including 7 regional
campuses and what I have found is that students' concerns go beyond
their own backyard. Rural students don't just want their services
protected they want all students to have the same access to services,"
Senator Nettle said.

"A very significant proportion of rural students go to universities in
the major cities, these students deserve the same services as those who
have found a place closer to home.

"The university community is very mobile with students moving between
universities for all kinds of reasons. Students want to know that which
ever university they are at they will have the same access to services
and representation.

"A two tier approach that The Nationals are proposing could see regional
universities cut off from sporting and cultural interaction with other
universities that would not have the same subsidies.

"If The Nationals are truly concerned about the quality of university
life in rural and regional campuses then they should ensure that the
anti-student association legislation does not get past the Senate.

"The effect of the government anti-student association legislation will
be to reduce the quality of higher education by reducing services and
forcing universities to dip into academic budgets to bail out what
services they can.

"I will continue to take this message out to campuses around the country
and The Greens will oppose the Bill when it comes to the Senate."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146