[Greens-Media] Greens call on universities to oppose privatisation push

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

02.03.05

Greens call on universities to oppose privatisation push


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the Australian Vice
Chancellors Committee (AVCC) to join The Greens, other opposition
parties, unions and student groups in opposing the government's
privatisation and deregulation of the higher education sector.

"The Greens utterly reject the Minister's view that the National
Protocols which define universities are outdated," Senator Nettle said.
"These protocols are about protecting the quality of higher education
and must be upheld."

"We call on the AVCC to make a clear statement opposing the government's
deregulation agenda, before the process develops any more momentum.

"The plan flagged today is the clearest indication yet that the
government intends to deregulate the university sector and in doing so
undermine the quality and reputation of Australian universities.

"The AVCC should play a crucial role in opposing this fundamental shift.
The opposition parties will not be able to block deregulation measures
in the Senate after July and so the Vice Chancellors will need to
convince Coalition MPs that deregulation is a mistake.

"The public university sector needs to stand united againstthe
government's privatisation agenda if we are to preserve the high quality
accessible and egalitarian nature of our public higher education system.

"Already the government is seeking to extend federal subsidies to 25
private higher education providers many of which are fundamentalist
Christian organisations. Under deregulation this will be the future of
higher education in Australia.

"Education is not a commodity to be traded to the highest bidder; it's a
fundamental responsibility of government. Deregulation is an abrogation
of this responsibility."

Contact Jon Edwards - 0428 213 146