University students are gathering in numbers to protest the Federal Government’s $2.3 billion cut to higher education to fund primary and high school education, as part of the Gonski reforms.
Three rallies were held last Wednesday at the UNSW, UTS and out the front of Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek’s office in Ultimo.
Jade Tyrell, President of the National Union of Students, voiced student concerns and strongly hit out against the proposed reforms at the UTS rally. She claimed the government’s announcement is antithetical to student’s interests and what the government claims to be about.
“We [students] have desperately needed an increase in funding and what have they done to answer this call … they have cut our funding,” said Ms Tyrell.
“Education cannot be treated in isolation … you cannot fund primary schools and high schools, and then not fund universities.”
About 100 UNSW students gathered at their Kensington campus, and approximately 50 UTS students and staff gathered at the Ultimo campus to voice their anger at the government’s plans.
Further down the road, Sydney University’s Education Action Group (EAG) and a few members of the NSW Teachers Federation hosted a rally outside Ms Plibersek’s office where six police officers and two police cars were stationed inside the gated area of the building.
Many speakers spoke of their betrayal they felt from the government regarding the cuts and, in particular, feeling let down by Ms Plibsersek – a member of the Labor left.
“How hypocritical of Tanya Plibersek – who rose through the political ranks as a member of the Student Representative Council – would support such schemes,” said one EAG speaker.
Ms Tyrell blamed the dwindling crowd size at the protests on the short notice given to students, as well as the fact that it was exam week for most students.
However, a national day of action has been planned on Budget Day, May 14, where universities across Sydney will unite in protest against the funding cuts. A protest was also held yesterday at the University of Sydney.
Students have voiced their concern about the cuts – aimed to save the government $900 million – may lead to reductions in student services and courses, as well as increased class sizes. There is also concern due to increasing debt levels that students face and over potential cuts to start-up scholarships.
Daniel Carnevale, who attended the UTS protest, hit out against the government’s decision to dump the 10 per cent discount for students who pay their fees upfront.
“It’s like they are trying to punish those students who are able to afford the fees … now there is no reason to pay for university upfront and this really just will leave students in increasing levels of debt,” he said.
UWS student Gianmarco Pignetti said the government is abandoning students and letting them drown in debt.
“I’m about to turn 22 and was due to receive student funding as I can claim independence … but the government has taken that away from me too and turned the loans into grants, so when I finish university all I will be doing is paying off debt rather than saving.”
It remains to be seen whether the State Government will come to a national agreement by June 30 following the Federal Government’s failure to secure an agreement during last Friday’s Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) meeting.
