“We have been left behind yet again”: Students concerned following the National Budget
Image: the NTU outside of parliament last week. Image: National Union of Students/Facebook
By JUSTIN COOPER
Details from the Federal Budget 2023-2024 have been criticised due to the seeming lack of support for tertiary/ university students.
With the increased cost-of-living and housing crisis across Australia, students have been struggling and requesting further government assistance which have not been addressed in the Labor Government’s budget.
Announced on Tuesday 9th May, the national budget saw increases on rent and income support applicable to low-income earners which would be applicable to some students.
When the Budget was announced, it included changes in rent assistance which will be increased by 15 percent over the next 5 years – meaning for individuals living on their own with the maximum fortnightly payment of $157.20, assistance would be increased by $23.58. For people on income support schemes including JobSeeker, Austudy and Youth Allowance, base rates will be increased by $40 a fortnight.
The Nations Union of Students (NUS) president, Bailey Riley, commented on her frustrations following the Budget release on Twitter saying, “Labor has delivered an extremely lacklustre budget that offers crumbs for young Australians. We have been left behind yet again.”
Labor has delivered an extremely lacklustre budget that offers crumbs for young Australians. We have been left behind yet again.
— Ngaire Bogemann (@NUS_President) May 9, 2023
Bailey Riley was reached out for further comment.
Another user tweeted their frustrations and questioned the survival of students saying, “So I’m guessing fewer unemployed & students will survive until next year’s budget. Consigned to the scrapheap. How did Australia get so callous?”
So I'm guessing fewer unemployed & students will survive until next years budget. Consigned to the scrapheap. How did Australia get so callous?#RaiseTheRate above the poverty line.#Budget2023
— Sidor 🏴🇦🇺 Did (@SidorDid) May 9, 2023
Within the ‘Get a Room’ campaign created by NUS, requested governments respond to student’s struggling with cost-of-living pressures by raising such income support. Such a campaign was brought to Sydney council which motioned to support it.
However, Greens Senator, Deputy Leader and Education Spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi responded to the increase saying that it was providing ‘scant relief’ to struggling students.
“Uni students are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, with many regularly skipping meals, falling behind on rent and being forced to abandon their degrees in favour of paid work,” said Faruqi.
Raising HECS/HELP Debts to increase student pressures
In addition to cost-of-living financial pressures held by students, HECS/HELP debt payments indexation tax is set to rise by 7% on the first of June.
The raise of such rates will affect many students earning $48,361 annually, with payments automatically taken from their salary.
Many groups including NUS and The Green have requested the government to freeze indexation due to the rising cost of living pressures, however have continued to be knocked back.
Further criticism of the increase has come with the budget forecasting a surplus of $4 billion, with many questioning the amount and how it could be used to benefit low income earners and students. One twitter user questioned saying, “$4bn surplus? Can’t we use that to erase all student debt?”
$4bn surplus? Can’t we use that to erase all student debt? #budget
Especially if that’s Australia’s fastest growing expenditure?#hecs— Anna Gibbs (@aamgibbs) May 8, 2023
