[Greens-Media] Chronic underfunding of unis forces reliance on high fee paying international students

[Jegatheeswaran, Brami (Jegan) (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA COMMENT
13 November 2014

Chronic underfunding of unis forces reliance on high fee paying international students

Commenting on the essays-for-cash scandal (http://bit.ly/1unPnav) Australian Greens higher education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"The Greens do not condone any type of academic misconduct, but this scandal reveals the underbelly of a higher education system heavily reliant on high fee paying international students.

"Coalition and Labor governments have underfunded our universities for decades, making them more reliant on student fees - particularly international student fees.

"Universities have a direct financial incentive to enrol as many high fee paying international students as possible, without working to ensure they have the support and resources required to study effectively.

"A recent Federal Government report revealed 16 per cent of the total revenue of Australian public universities was derived from international students, compared to 15 per cent from HECS -HELP and FEE-HELP.

"Experts have warned of domestic students paying $100,000 for a degree under the Coalition's proposal to lift the cap on student fees - increasing the financial and academic pressure on students.

"Instead of treating international and domestic students as cash cows it's time the government properly funded higher education, reduced the financial burden on students and encouraged universities to provide adequate student support programs.

Contact: Brami Jegan 0487 350 880

Brami Jegan
Communications | Strategy
for Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon

72 Campbell Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
p: (02) 9211 9523 | m: 0487 350 880

http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/

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