![Picture](/uploads/8/4/1/7/8417532/9067610.png?660)
Thanks to past Labor governments, Australian students today are not – as in the United States – condemned to crushing debt burdens simply for pursuing a university degree.
But under Tony Abbott’s radical and regressive agenda this will change.
Tony Abbott’s plan for $100,000 degrees will make many talented students think twice about pursuing a university education.
Women, students from low-income backgrounds, and students from regional Australia will be hardest hit by higher fees and higher interest rates on student loans.
Before the election, both Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne promised there would be no cuts to education, no increase to university fees, and no major changes to the higher education system without consultation.
Before, and even after the election, Abbott said:
“I want to give people this absolute assurance, no cuts to education …”
TONY ABBOTT - INSIDERS – 1 SEPTEMBER 2013
Tony Abbott’s first Budget betrayed these promises. The Budget cut $5.8 billion from higher education, including massive cuts to Commonwealth Supported Places – that is, all undergraduate places at public universities. This means universities will be forced to put up their fees just to cover the loss in funding, which amounts to an average of 20 per cent across all undergraduate degrees.
I encourage everyone who has concerns about the Abbott-Pyne radical agenda to sign Labor’s petition and make their voice heard.