University of Wollongong student Josh Bell is ‘’ecstatic’’ the Senate has passed a Greens/ALP motion calling on the government to abandon plans to cut public subsidies to university enabling programs and introduce fees for students for the first time.
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Bell, the UOW Greens on Campus convenor said Wollongong and the Illawarra did not need the government making it harder for people to get an education.
‘’The latest data shows the University of Wollongong had 431 students enrolled in enabling programs and we’re pleased the Senate has moved to protect these valuable student placements,’’ he said.
The motion was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and her ALP counterpart Deborah O’Neil on Wednesday night.
Senator Rhiannon said with youth unemployment at 11.7 per cent, cuts to education were the last thing the Illawarra region needed.
‘’This plan to load up students with up to $3271 in fees confirms that the Turnbull government is no friend of the Illawarra or our universities,’’ she said.
‘’Regional universities across the country use these valuable programs to offer much needed assistance to their communities.’’
