[Greens-Media] Student protest at Senate inquiry into Pyne higher education bill

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

MEDIA RELEASE
10 October 2014

Student protest at Senate inquiry into Pyne higher education bill

The Greens today congratulated students and staff for their colourful protest against student debt staged on the last day of the Senate Inquiry into Christopher Pyne's regressive higher education bill. [photo attached]

"Today's protest against student debt brought some balance to the evidence from numerous Vice Chancellors who have backed the Coalition government's plan to cut $5 billion from the higher education sector," Greens spokesperson for Higher Education Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

"Some protesters at the Senate hearing held up placards with the message '$100,000 degrees? I didn't vote for this'.

"In evidence to the hearing, representatives from NUS and other student groups set out a strong case as to why Minister Pyne's bill should be voted down.

"The harsh impact fee deregulation will have on low SES, rural, regional, women and Indigenous students highlights why the Pyne bill will be so damaging to Australian society.

"The students who gave evidence raised concerns that the majority of VCs have backed the government plan to cut $5 billion. They suggested it showed how out of touch university management is with the needs of their students and the wider community," said Senator Rhiannon.

Contact: 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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