A stronger scholarship system would help poorer students. Gough Whitlam's death focused attention on his decision to abolish university fees. But, far from opening the door to people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the share of students from families in the bottom socioeconomic quarter remained static at about 16 per cent after 1974. The sons and daughters…
DetailsThe Chair of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Senator Bridget McKenzie, has presented to parliament a report supporting the Coalition Government’s proposed higher education reforms. The committee’s report is the result of extensive consultation and hearings involving a wide range of mostly higher education stakeholders including students. It focuses on the impact on…
DetailsBY Katina Curtis The Abbott government has been told by one of its own senators to tweak higher education reforms to make sure a university education is still accessible for as many people as possible. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie chairs a parliamentary committee that wants the government to give regional universities more help and change…
DetailsI rise very proudly tonight to speak to the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. I also rise to speak as the chair of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee. We conducted a very comprehensive inquiry into this piece of legislation. There were over 169 submissions and four days of hearings, and…
DetailsGough Whitlam’s vision of free university education was affordable when only about 5 per cent of the population was going to higher education. But with the proportion now close to 40 per cent, changes being put to Parliament by Education Minister Christopher Pyne are essential to maintain a high-quality university system open to all Australians.…
DetailsA future with choice is better than a present facing a decline in public funding. This is a crucial week for Australia. At stake is whether a viable higher education system can endure. Though much rhetoric focuses on the Whitlam promise of free higher education, the present system was established by the Hawke government from…
DetailsThe Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee's report into the Government's higher education reforms is now available. The report broadly supports the reforms after extensive consultation with higher education and other stakeholders. For details, visit: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/Higher_Education/Report
DetailsThe Federal Parliament on Thursday heard shocking evidence of intimidating and threatening behaviour by Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) officials, according to testimony given by Fair Work Building Commission (FWBC) to the Senate Education and Employment Committee. “The evidence provided by the building watchdog’s director Nigel Hadgkiss stunned the committee,” chair Senator McKenzie…
DetailsNationals Senator Bridget McKenzie is encouraging communities in the Ballarat electorate to apply for funding under the Abbott-Truss Government’s $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund which is now open to applications. The new Fund will target projects that deliver priority economic development and small scale community infrastructure at the local level. “This is a huge…
DetailsNationals Senator Bridget McKenzie is encouraging communities in the Bendigo electorate to apply for funding under the Abbott-Truss Government’s $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund which is now open to applications. The new Fund will target projects that deliver priority economic development and small scale community infrastructure at the local level. “This is a huge…
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