Mood:
irritatedTopic: election nsw 2007
Media Release 19 January 2007
The Greens today called on NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt to
convene an emergency meeting of her state and territory counterparts
to demand that the Howard government impose a moratorium on full fee
paying University places.
Greens NSW Education Spokesperson and Upper House Candidate John Kaye
said: "The university entrance system has been driven to the edge of
collapse by the Howard government's deregulation of full fee places
and their systematic under-funding of public institutions.
"The quality of tertiary education is being compromised by the Howard
government's grab for cash. Carmel Tebbutt has an obligation to work
with her Labor colleagues in the other states and territories to put
a stop to this undermining of Australia's universities.
"Two years ago the union, student bodies and the Greens warned state
and federal governments that the system would be placed under
unacceptable pressure by deregulation.
"Universities have begun to abandon the coordinated admissions index
system in favour of their own criteria. While this may work for some
courses, it can also produce massively unfair outcomes for many students.
"State and territory ministers have a unique opportunity to stand up
to the federal government and force changes that protect the
integrity of the assessment system and ensure that admission is based
on ability, not wealth.
"So far Carmel Tebbutt and her seven Labor colleagues have been quite
spineless in dealing with federal ministers like Julie Bishop.
"The current crisis gives them the opportunity to display some
serious resolve and, for once, drive the agenda on education.
"If they don't, the next three years will see the collapse of the
university entrance system and the uncontrolled growth of full fee
paying courses," Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
Posted by editor
at 6:51 AM EADT
