Greens stand up for tertiary students
Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Wednesday 11th August 2010, 5:18pm
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in Christine Milne’s Tasmanian Campaigns Fee-paying Students Tertiary Education
Australia’s tertiary students should be reassured that a vote for the Greens is a vote for improved learning and living, says Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne.
Senator Milne is attending a ‘Vote for Students’ rally hosted by the Tasmanian University Union in Hobart today, where calls will be made for political parties to improve living and learning conditions for tertiary students.
“Putting money into learning now will reap major rewards for Tasmania. Students are our future. They are the future innovators, the future state and nation builders.
“It is simply common sense that we recognise the need to support students now.
“It baffles me that the same politicians that are enjoying successful careers as a result of their free university education now stand in the way of today’s students receiving the same.
“The Greens are the only party to understand the direct link between improved learning and a better nation.
“We understand that students are being forced to work unreasonable hours simply to cover their living expenses.
“The Greens will address this with key initiatives including scrapping HECS, raising Youth Allowance and implementing a nationally accepted student concessions card. It is ludicrous that a student is not considered a student in other states and territories.
“We will address the growing problem of housing affordability with 66 percent of students currently experiencing extreme housing stress where the cost of rent is about 35 percent of a student’s average living costs.
“The Greens will support the development of university housing plans for students and we will allocate $50 million for a student specific National Rental Affordability scheme where universities will receive financial assistance to build student accommodation.
“Boosting student income and housing affordability means students will be better placed to focus their attention on excelling as future nation builders instead of working unreasonable hours just to cover their expenses.”
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