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Education


 

The Greens believe a responsible government should foster a strong, vibrant, top-quality public education system that is fee free from preschool to university. This is the kind of vision that the Greens bring to the debate. It is an affordable vision and it is a responsible vision. For less money than this government spends each year on the diesel fuel rebate the government could make this a reality.

The previous Howard government continually refused to invest real money in the higher education sector. Will the Rudd government address the shortfall?

The Greens believe in access to university based on merit, not your ability to pay.

The Greens vision is to abolish all course fees for domestic students. That means no upfront fees and no more HECS.

All of us have a right to a high quality, fair education system, and the first step is to make it free.

Helping students focus on study

Financial hardship should not be a barrier to academic success. Yet the cost of education has gone up and there are more students today living in poverty or working long hours on top of their studies.

The Greens recognise the student financial support system needs an overhaul. As a first step we would give all students an allowance for software and books, extend rent assistance to Austudy recipients and return Abstudy to its 1996 levels.

 

Education - Latest Media Releases

Greens welcome focus on student income support

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
17/12/2008

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the Bradley Review's call for greater income support for struggling tertiary students.

Among its 46 proposed changes, the Bradley Review of Higher Education recommends lowering the age of independence to 22 and allowing students to earn $400 a fortnight before payments are affected (up from $236 per fortnight at present).

National Academy's music lives on!

Senator Christine Milne
08/12/2008

The Australian Greens are today celebrating the reprieve for the National Academy of Music, after the Rudd Government effectively reversed its decision to close the world-renowned school.

The Prime Minister's office, which became involved when the Greens invited students and staff of the Academy to Canberra last week, has intervened to keep the school open and running its full planned program for 2009, with plans for a new independent board to secure its long-term future over the course of the year.

"They say that music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, and no-one who has heard the beautiful music the Academy produces could consider closing it down," said Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Arts Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne.

National Curriculum needs equal and adequate funding

Senator Christine Milne
03/12/2008

A national uniform curriculum will fail to deliver more uniform educational outcomes unless it is backed up with equal and adequate funding, the Australian Greens said today.

Brett Dean congratulated: Government must reverse ANAM decision

Senator Christine Milne
02/12/2008

The award of the world's most prestigious composition prize to Brett Dean today is yet another reason why the Rudd Government must reverse its decision to close the Australian National Academy of Music, the institution he heads, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens challenge Schools Assistance Bill 2008 in Senate

Senator Christine Milne
02/12/2008

The Australian Greens have moved to make education funding in Australia fairer by amending the Schools Assistance Bill 2008.

Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said the Greens amendments would ensure the Rudd government replaced the flawed Howard government model with a fairer system in two years.

Why 'revitalise' what is already so vital? Students bring music to Parliament

Senator Christine Milne
02/12/2008

The Government is in damage control over the ill-advised decision to close the Australian National Academy of Music, and the Prime Minister must immediately step in to impose at least a 12 month moratorium on the decision, the Australian Greens said today.

Adding insult to injury: Garrett steals National Academy's name

Senator Christine Milne
28/11/2008

Peter Garrett has added insult to injury by stealing the name of the Australian National Academy of Music after closing the world class institution, the Australian Greens said today.

More questions to be answered on National Academy of Music

Senator Christine Milne
24/11/2008

The Government could not deny that the two independent reviews of the Australian National Academy of Music both recommended increased funding to the Academy, not its closure, following questioning by the Greens in Question Time today.

ANAM must stay open for 2009: Interim solution 'completely inappropriate'

Senator Christine Milne
18/11/2008
Peter Garrett must keep the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM)
open next year to ensure continuing appropriate training for Australia's
top young classical musicians while any long-term solution is reached,
the Australian Greens said today.

The Australian Institute of Musical Performance as proposed by Minister

Teaching Indigenous languages important: Greens

Senator Rachel Siewert
18/11/2008

Plans to restrict the use of local Indigenous languages in Northern Territory schools are a backwards step, said the Australian Greens today.

"It is clear there is a huge amount of concern over English literacy in the Northern Territory, but we need to ensure there is a
researched-based reason for any radical changes to the curriculum, particularly when it comes to language," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"What we need is evidence based policy that works towards creating better education methods for our children. We know that to engage kids with education, schools need to be accessible, culturally appropriate and meet kids' needs. These changes don't do this."

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