2016-12-05
The Senate has given recognition to the importance of the Australian arts industry and community by supporting greater representation to artistic and creative courses on the VET student loans eligible course list following an amendment to the VET Student Loans Bill moved by the Australian Greens.
“In one of the final acts in Parliament of this horrific year for students and artists alike, by passing a Greens amendment to this bill, the Senate has finally given some recognition to the importance of providing our budding artists with a platform to hone their skills and gain qualifications,” Greens Arts spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Cleaning up the dodgy rorting in the VET sector should not come at the cost of arts courses and education providers that were doing the right thing.
“Artists contribute so much to society and shouldn’t have to miss out on education opportunities in the VET sector. It is great that the Senate has seen sense and stood with the Greens in opposing the government's plans to strip arts courses from the VET Student Eligible Loans list.
“This is a win in the battle for the arts community of Australia, as well as students, and a fight the Greens will continue when parliament resumes in 2017.”
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