The review of the 2003 higher education reforms, announced today by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Julie Bishop, must examine the impact of reforms such as HECS hikes and the increase in full-fee paying places on students, according to the Australian Democrats.
The Democrats initiated the 2001 comprehensive Senate Committee review of higher education, Universities in Crisis.
"Since that time, the Government has implemented further reforms, many of which have profound implications for the sector, especially students," Democrats' Higher Education spokesperson, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
"These reforms passed the Senate with the votes of four "Independent" Senators, allowing the Government to sell out the sector.
"This review process should be broken down into a number of specific reviews of higher education reforms and conducted by the Parliament or some other independent body not controlled by the Government.
"Whoever conducts the review, consultation with key stakeholders is essential. This must include student groups such as the National Union of Students, the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, International students, as well as the National Tertiary Education Union and groups such as the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee.
"Given that there has been no response from the Government to the Senate inquiry I initiated into student income support, tabled in June 2005, I am not convinced of its acceptance of any review process that does not tell it what it wants to hear.
"While I welcome any rigorous review of the Government's higher education reforms, it will be telling to see how this process will deal with the critical issues of degree affordability and student income support, both of which have declined under this Government," Senator Stott Despoja said.
|
