2016-03-09
The Australian Greens are calling on Education Minister Simon Birmingham to commit to providing universities with adequate funding following a plea from Universities Australia for direction from the government.
"We've heard today that the university sector is on tenterhooks waiting for the government's next move on university funding. The lack of direction being provided by this government leaves both universities and students in a state of flux, uncertain of what the future holds," Greens higher education spokesperson Senator Robert Simms said.
"While Minister Birmingham says university fee deregulation is off the table, the government is still factoring these changes in the forward estimates of the budget. His lack of action on forming a new policy so universities can plan ahead doesn't inspire confidence that the agenda, which could see $100,000 university degrees, is gone for good.
"The Greens call on the Minister to assign university deregulation to the scrap heap and boost public funding to universities so all Australians have the opportunity to access high quality and affordable tertiary education."
Media contact: Amy Moran 0417 173 508