Gillard looks to phase out full fee uni places
Posted Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:00pm AEDT
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/29/2404981.htm?section=justin
The Federal Government will fund about 2,500 extra university places next year as part of a promise to phase out full fee undergraduate degrees.
The move to scrap full fee paying places was announced during last year’s election campaign.
Education Minister Julia Gillard says the Government wants Australian students to gain entry to university on merit, not ability to pay.
Push to privatise apprentice training
Gerard Noonan Social Issues Editor
October 29, 2008
SMH
TAFE colleges around Australia face the biggest threat to their existence if the recommendations of a confidential government planning document are adopted by state education ministers next month.
Federal and state bureaucrats are pushing to privatise all occupational training in Australia by making TAFE’s $4 billion annual funding “contestable”: bureaucratic code for privatising all occupational training.
Government planning paper puts TAFE colleges in private hands
October 29, 2008 06:50am
Herald Sun
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24569477-662,00.html
TAFE colleges across Australia could be privatised if the states follow a reported recommendation in a confidential government planning paper.
If the states’ education ministers adopt the plan next month, TAFE’s $4 billion annual funding will be up for grabs – or “contestable” – according to the confidential government document, Fairfax reports today.
The cost of TAFE and private vocational colleges will also increase, and something similar to a university higher education contribution scheme (HECS) will be set up for students.
The proposal is expected to meet strong criticism from some quarters.
Forcing TAFEs to compete with low quality private training facilities for all funding would undermine their ability to provide community services such as quality low-cost training and libraries, the Australian Education Union said.
The document has been prepared by bureaucrats for the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) working group on the productivity agenda due to take place next month.
On Wednesday last week, Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU (an independent labour federation in the Philippines) and the union representing Dole Philippines’s workers, were illegally arrested by the Philippine government. The International Labor Rights Forum has launched a campaign to call for his release:
Go here – for more information (scroll down when you get to this link)
Cyndy Connole from the LHMU made a great presentation at the recent Education at the Edges forum about this innovative project. Check it out! Inspiring stuff!
12% of Australians are ‘underemployed’ or unemployed
1.3 million Australians want work or more work
During the September 2008 Quarter the Roy Morgan ‘underemployed’* estimate was 735,000 (6.7%) Australian workers, 16,000 higher than the corresponding September 2007 Quarter result.
The Roy Morgan September 2008 Quarter unemployment estimate of 584,000 (5.3%) means there are 1,319,000 (12.0%) Australians either unemployed or ‘underemployed.’*
JustAct notes: whether we agree or disagree with the overall analysis (we at JustAct would differ on ‘WorkChoices’) by Morgan research, the highlighting of this issue is to be applauded.
Engineers Without Borders Elements brings together works by some of Australia’s best Indigenous artists including Emily Kame Kgnwarreye, Clifford Possom, Minnie Pwerle and Dorothy Napangardi.
Free public exhibition runs from 11-26 October, open daily from 10am-6pm
161 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Gala Opening
10 October at 6pm
Wine & canapes and jazz with Liz Cavanagh.
Auctions with Aboriginal artist Sarrita King.
Funds raised will support Engineers Without Borders’ programs with Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander peoples and our community outreach towards a reconciled Australia
Tickets $50 on the night
See www.ewb.org.au/elements for information and bookings or contact Engineers Without Borders on (03) 9696 9040
With Citibank flogging dodgy loans to cash-strapped students like Scott Mitchell, it’s no wonder the big banks are floundering. Citibank’s letter to me this week is shining proof that even in the most dangerous circumstances, unless there is proper regulation, the banks will continue flogging loans to the most inappropriate customers. Like me.
