Fed: Independents seal deal on higher education package

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
Fed: Independents seal deal on higher education package

Students will be slapped with higher fees for degrees after four independent senators
and the government tonight sealed a deal to pass contentious university reforms.

Education Minister BRENDAN NELSON, having made three rounds of concessions, has accepted
the final demand of the independents removing the link between $404 million in funding
and industrial relations reforms.

Universities may now offer Australian Workplace Agreements, but will not be forced
to do so to receive the extra money under the $2.4 billion package over five years.

The independents were accused of selling out students and their families by agreeing
to the deal that will hike fees by up to 25 per cent above HECS rates.

Up to 35 per cent of student places will go to full-fee paying students and indexation
will be reviewed.

In a win for students the HECS threshold will be raised to $36,184 in line with graduate
starting salaries.

Labor's education spokeswoman JENNY MACKLIN says the independents have sold out Australian
families, putting a university education out of reach of many hard working students.

And Democrats higher education spokeswoman NATASHA STOTT DESPOJA says the HECS hikes
will be unbearable for many students.

AAP RTV sal/sw/psm/

KEYWORD: UNIVERSITIES (CANBERRA)

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