Fed: Students rally at universities nationwide today
CANBERRA, April 10 AAP - Students will protest at university campuses across the nationtoday against federal government plans to deregulate fees.
The protest action has the backing of the Australian Democrats which would oppose anymoves to burden students with higher fees and debt.
Democrats education spokeswoman Natasha Stott Despoja will address students and staffat a rally at the University of Adelaide today.
"Fees and charges are a psychological and financial disincentive for aspiring students,particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds," Senator Stott Despoja said ina statement.
"The Democrats will not support any measures which further limit the ability of studentsto access and complete higher education."
Senator Stott Despoja urged the federal government to boost funding for higher educationin next month's Budget and not make it a casualty of the war in Iraq.
Jo Haylen, president of Sydney University's student representative council, said Australianuniversities were in crisis.
"The future of public education in our country is facing its biggest threat ever," she said.
"The government's proposals to increase HECS, double the quota of full-fee paying places,and offer dubious loans schemes will only exacerbate the existing financial difficultiesof students and will do little to repair the damage to universities brought about by yearsof government funding shortfalls."
Students were to rally at campuses around Australia at lunchtime.
AAP sal/ldj/bwl
KEYWORD: UNIVERSITIES
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