Join the Fight The Fees electronic sit-in : Melbourne Indymedia

ACTION ALERT: Join the DEST electronic sit-in
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Do not circulate after 31/03/2004
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The federal government successfully passed its controversial and draconian higher education changes in late 2003. Now universities across Australia are raising fees for everyone. These increases are going to prevent working class and disadvantaged students from getting a university education. It is going to ensure ongoing institutional discrimination against those that cannot afford to go to university and maintain the poverty trap. Worst of all female graduates will have a HECS debt well beyond their retirement age.

Student debt will grow astronomically. Students that get a public place will finish university with a debt the size of mortgage loan - and that doesn't include the cost of associated learning costs like textbooks, internet access, software or study materials. The government's worst changes to higher education will create a 2-tier university system where the big universities will gain the most.

Yet, while the government allows university fees to increase they haven't increased student allowances. In fact they have harmed students more by closing the student supplement loan scheme. At the end of June 2004 the educational textbook subsidy scheme will be closed, which will push the cost of textbooks up by 8%. Despite government rhetoric of creating a knowledge nation all they are doing is creating a nation that has no hope of competing in the knowledge economy.

The philosophy of the free market will destroy public higher education and destroy most Australian's chances of getting a higher education.
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What Can You Do?
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If you disagree with higher university fees, more student and household debt and fewer public places then join the electronic sit-in on Wednesday 31st of March 2004. This action is running along side the National Union of Student's National Day of Action.

Log onto http://www.dest.gov.au
@ 12pm to 2pm in Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas and Vic
@ 11:30pm to 1:30pm in SA and NT
@ 10pm to 12pm in WA
Wednesday, 31st March, 2004

You can help by sending this action alert to other citizens concerned about the exploitation of Australian students and families.
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Need More Information?
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Email: savehighered@yahoo.com.au
URL: savehighered.angelcities.com