What’s happening?
In 2014, the government wanted to completely privatise and americanise the university system by allowing universities to charge as much as they wanted so that universities could make a larger profit (which would mean degrees that could cost hundreds of thousands for prestigious universities) . These never got through because of massive student protests that forced them to rescind these attacks. But this year, they plan to slowly implement similar attacks by first increasing student fees by 8% (on average $3,600 per student), all while cutting university funding and lowing the amount you need to earn before you have to pay it all back (to just above minimum wage – $42,000 pa).
Why is this totally unfair?
In Australia, it would cost only $8 billion to make education free for all students (including international students), but the new budget instead is giving $10 billion to the coal industry and implementing $50 billion in corporate tax cuts. And to able to do this they’re passing the bill onto students, when two thirds of Australian students live below the poverty line. We’ve also seen massive attacks on working class wages that affect students more than anyone (attacks on penalty rates, attempts to lower minimum wage, decreases to centrelink payments and the influx of centrelink debts).
Ordinary people deserve to be able to get an education and absolutely should not be barred from it because they cannot afford it.
What can you do:
Right now we absolutely have the potential to fight back against these attacks. We’ve won against attacks like this in recent years and we can do it again. And protests are really make or break for fighting these attacks on students.
If you live in Australia you should come along to the protests that are happening in literally every state on May 17th 2017: you can find where your closest one is here or check out the Make Education Free Again facebook page. This protest is being organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and is going to be NATION WIDE. Bring anyone and everyone you know
If you live outside of Australia, SHARE THIS POST and sign the petition
Right now the Australian government is making massive attacks on students
Published
The Carving Witch 