AAP lines: National Union of Students' higher education priorities - Senator Stott Despoja
The Australian Democrats have welcomed the announcement of higher education policy priorities by the National Union of Students (NUS) in the lead-up to the election.
"The NUS have highlighted four priorities - full-fee places to be scrapped, HECS to be reduced, voluntary student unionism to be repealed and more student income support - that the Democrats have long called for," Democrats' Spokesperson for Higher Education, Senators Natasha Stott Despoja said.
"It is a timely reminder that while additional funding to universities through the Higher Education Endowment Fund and other initiatives is welcome, the Government has largely ignored the plight of university students in this country.
"Our public university students now pay fees that are third only to Korea and the United States. Full-fee students now stare down the barrel of degrees costing well over $200 000.
"Like the NUS, the Democrats will be ensuring that the Government and the Opposition are open and accountable for their views on the accessibility and affordability of tertiary education," Senator Stott Despoja said.
