Labor's First Educational Election Promise was revealed today... Read on for more info...
And dont forget! Tomorrow is South Australian State Conference! 6pm Students' Association of the University of Adelaide!
Rudd vows education revolution
Phillip Coorey Chief Political CorrespondentJanuary 23, 2007
IN HIS first big pitch for the prime ministership, Kevin Rudd today will identify education as the most important economic policy issue for Labor at this year's election.
The Opposition Leader will call for "nothing less than a revolution in education" and warn that Australia's prosperity will hit the wall unless the quality and funding of education - from childhood to adulthood - is raised substantially.
In a policy document to support today's speech, Labor says education, be it early childhood, school, tertiary, vocational or mature-age, can no longer be regarded as an issue of social expenditure alone.
"There is now incontrovertible evidence that education should be understood as an economic investment," it says.
The paper states Australia spends well below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average on early childhood education and has one of the lowest retention records for secondary school students. And it quotes statistics showing Australia's productivity has declined in line with education funding.
"Australia has been insulated from this underlying deterioration in its economic performance in recent years," it says.
"The resources boom has masked the impact of slower productivity growth on employment and living standards but Australia will not be able to escape the consequences of falling productivity over the longer term."
A Newspoll out today puts Labor well ahead of the Coalition, with a two-party-preferred lead of 55 to 45 per cent. It shows Mr Rudd edging closer as preferred prime minister, with 39 per cent support compared to John Howard's 41 per cent.
The Labor policy paper says a smarter workforce is vital if Australia is to compete with the emerging global giants China and India.
"Our investment in human capital is essential for creating an innovative, productive workforce that can adapt to a rapidly changing world," it says. "We must embrace a new national vision - for Australia to become the most educated country, the most skilled economy and the best trained workforce."
Mr Rudd will say Australia's prosperity in recent years began with the economic reforms of the Hawke-Keating governments and has since been driven by the resources boom. But he will argue that the Howard Government has made little provision to sustain the economy when that boom inevitably ends. "Current policy settings are not enough to prepare Australia for the challenges ahead," the policy paper says.
Labor's treasury spokesman, Wayne Swan, who is helping drive the agenda, said education had to be "very, very explicitly linked to productivity and economic growth". He said the decline in educational investment and standards over the past decade was "the most severely squandered opportunity of the Howard years".
"Every country in the region has lifted their game as we fall behind. You can't continue to lead in productivity if you're going to run 17th or 25th in education."
Mr Rudd's speech will come two days before Mr Howard's Australia Day address to the National Press Club in which the Prime Minister will seek to outline his election-year agenda. Mr Howard devoted his address last year to education, decrying the standard of history being taught in schools.
The Labor paper says long-term under-investment in vocational education has contributed to the current skills crisis while universities have been among the hardest hit over the past decade.
Public investment in universities has declined by 7 per cent since 1995, while the OECD average is a 48 per cent rise. Student fees and charges account for 22per cent of university revenue today, double that of 10 years ago. HECS fees have almost tripled in 10 years from $4.5 billion to $13 billion.
LEARNING CURVE - Australia invests 5.8 per cent of GDP in education, ranking it 18th in the OECD.
- Australian maths and science education ranked 29th in the world.
- Public investment in universities fell by 7 per cent in the past decade, compared with OECD average of a 48 per cent increase.
- Student fees account for 22 per cent of university revenue, double that of 10 years ago.
*****************************************************
Even just those little bits at the end are horrrifying- and all it does is confirm that we are not investing enough in Higher Education!
In Solidarity,
Rhi
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
SA Students set to miss out
Yesterdays Release...
SA Students set to miss out
Today thousands of young South Australians await University offers which may not come.
Applications for South Australian Universities are well up this year but without a subsequent increase in the number of Government supported places. Close to 4000 people have applied for teaching at Flinders University for 400 total places.
President of the National Union of Student’s South Australian State Branch, Rhiannon Newman, said it is disappointing that the Federal Government has not taken more initiative in ensuring adequate funding for University places.
“Young people have indicated that they are willing to invest time into a tertiary education which will ultimately benefit the wider community. It seems hypocritical that those who received free education are now effectively stonewalling the next generation from the benefits they received.” Ms Newman commented.
“When the Government should be assisting students as much as possible to gain access to university, they’re actually making it harder – particularly in South Australia where student HECS debts are the highest in the country – and locking those students who are able to gain one of those rapidly diminishing University positions into a lifetime of debt.” Ms Newman continued.
“Full fee places are not the answer. If the Government is serious about investing in Higher Education it needs to start opening up more opportunities for Government supported places in our nations Universities. The Government needs to take serious steps to show its commitment to Higher Education particularly in areas such as nursing and teaching where there is a serious skills shortage.”
“When thousands of capable students miss out on a place at University this week it should send a strong message to the Government that something needs to be done. We demand a better future not only for South Australia but for the nation”, concluded Ms Newman
SA Students set to miss out
Today thousands of young South Australians await University offers which may not come.
Applications for South Australian Universities are well up this year but without a subsequent increase in the number of Government supported places. Close to 4000 people have applied for teaching at Flinders University for 400 total places.
President of the National Union of Student’s South Australian State Branch, Rhiannon Newman, said it is disappointing that the Federal Government has not taken more initiative in ensuring adequate funding for University places.
“Young people have indicated that they are willing to invest time into a tertiary education which will ultimately benefit the wider community. It seems hypocritical that those who received free education are now effectively stonewalling the next generation from the benefits they received.” Ms Newman commented.
“When the Government should be assisting students as much as possible to gain access to university, they’re actually making it harder – particularly in South Australia where student HECS debts are the highest in the country – and locking those students who are able to gain one of those rapidly diminishing University positions into a lifetime of debt.” Ms Newman continued.
“Full fee places are not the answer. If the Government is serious about investing in Higher Education it needs to start opening up more opportunities for Government supported places in our nations Universities. The Government needs to take serious steps to show its commitment to Higher Education particularly in areas such as nursing and teaching where there is a serious skills shortage.”
“When thousands of capable students miss out on a place at University this week it should send a strong message to the Government that something needs to be done. We demand a better future not only for South Australia but for the nation”, concluded Ms Newman
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Joint Press Release
JOINT STATEMENT
KEVIN RUDD MP
FEDERAL LABOR LEADER
STEPHEN SMITH MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HOWARD LOCKS ONE IN THREE VICTORIANS
OUT OF A TERTIARY EDUCATION
OUT OF A TERTIARY EDUCATION
When first round university offers are released today, nearly 20,000 or one in three young Victorians will miss out on a university place.
These young Australians will be denied a chance to get ahead because for the last 10 years the Howard Government has refused to invest in Australia's tertiary education.
Critically, in areas of acute skill shortage such as teaching and nursing, approximately one in two applicants, or 2,500 students, will miss out on a university place.
Despite a chronic shortage of engineers in Australia, more than 400 students or nearly 15 per cent of engineering applicants missed out on an engineering place.
In first round offers in Queensland last week more than 5,000 young Queenslanders missed out on a university place. Around 17,000 young Victorian’s missed out on a university place in 2006 and 19,000 in 2005.
By not investing enough in higher education, the Howard Government is stopping talented young Australian’s getting ahead.
Hard working young Australians are also being discouraged from going to university by the Howard Government's massive HECS fee hikes.
This is bad for thousands of hopeful students and their families, and worse for the growth potential of the Australian economy, which is crying out for more skilled workers.
If Australia is to compete in the 21st century global economy we need the best trained workforce in the world.
You cannot be serious about locking in Australia’s economic prosperity if you are not prepared to make the required investments in education Australia needs.
*******************************************************
Absolutely appalling- just about to write a press release to that effect. When will the Government realise that they HAVE to invest in Higher Education??????
In Solidarity,
Rhi
Monday, January 15, 2007
South Australian report to National Exec
Vastly shortened version of my report to the National Union of Students (NUS) Nat Exec at the last meeting (13/01/07) Just the 'plans for the Year' section rather than the nitty gritty.
Orientation
Orientation will be make or break for State Branch. It is the only foreseeable way in which we can get anyone involved in the campaign for next year. Currently my plans for Adelaide and most likely Flinders (Uni SA as noted above is still touch and go) involves stalls next to the AEC and sign up sheets for the new E-List as well as lecture bashing, postering and general promotion. This will be the launch of the ‘Voice for the Future’ Campaign so it is obviously important. I am hoping with negotiation with Flinders to incorporate the stall into their FCCS stall. Obviously concrete, specific planning is a little difficult from the perspective of only one activist so with a little luck after the State Conference we will have more direction for Orientation.
Recruitment
As stated in the previous section Orientation is of paramount importance to the Branch. Having spoken to the National Education Officer last week on the issue of NDAs this becomes even more apparent. Let me tell you if we were to hold an NDA in the second/third week of first term on the current number of activists we have now we would have 20 people yelling on the steps of Parliament House. In case you haven’t picked up the doom and gloom overtones of this report our activist network is crying out for members. It is my hope that the many lead up events to whatever we decide to run on the NDA will encourage more people to be actively involved.
Website
A rather exciting thing happened last week where I discovered that there is an (albeit empty) website devoted to South Australia on the unistudent.com! Well I was excited. Now that I am aware of its existence I would like to keep this up to date not only as a reference point for South Australian activists but also as a method of accountability within NUS.
Recommendation 3- That the National Office Bearers assist in the creation of promotional material for South Australian O’Weeks and make a commitment to having at least one OB in the state for the duration of the Orientation period.
Recommendation 4- That the National General Secretary assist the South Australian State Branch President in keeping the SA section of the NUS website up to date and relevant.
Voice for the Future
This will be the focus for the year of State Branch (and on a personal note the Adelaide Uni Students’ Association/SRC.) We all know the specifics of the campaign as adopted by the 2006 conference so I will just speak briefly on the events I intend to run as part of the campaign this year (in addition to Orientation as previously discussed.)
Enrol to Vote- I intend to have regular ‘Enrol to Vote’ days this year. Beginning with Flinders (if it goes ahead) and Adelaide O’Camps, obviously as discussed in Orientation, and near the end of first term a BBQ/Band day at each of the Universities. This is designed not only to keep up momentum for the campaign but also to gauge interest and further recruit more people to the movement.
Fundraising Day- An event I currently have planned within the Adelaide SRC but I am hoping can also be applied to the other campuses. Basically it involves running as low cost an event as possible that is designed to raise money for future campaigns. My personal favourite is the Lost Property Stall. This is an old event that the SAUA has always run whereby Security gives us all their lost property and then we sell it (its quite amazing that people will pay for quite a lot of junk.) Ideas such as bake sales, ‘Busk for your HECS,’ and obviously the standard BBQ have been floated. This has yet to take concrete shape.
NDA- This is the section of my report that I believe will cause the most controversy. At this point in the year I can see no way in which South Australia could have an effective protest. Please take my earlier comment about the 20 people on the steps of Parliament house VERY seriously. This is not an exaggeration. I am fully committed to getting involved in the campaign as a CONCEPT, and will of course have something on the day. However, NDA’s are currently not a viable option in South Australia and I fundamentally believe that it will not be an effective or productive use of my time to spend the entirety of the first half of the year organising one.
Other Stuff- Lecture Bashing, Postering, Forums (hopefully the seat of Adelaide’s candidate debate as in 2004,) leafleting, etc. As much activity as can be arranged on as small a budget as possible. Ideas always welcome. I am also very keen to make some generic banners with slogans such as ‘Vote for the future’ or ‘This Federal Election, will you be voting for Higher Education?’ These will be able to be used throughout the entirety of the year and I hope will be a starting point for getting people interested.
Yours in Union and Solidarity,
Rhiannon Newman
President South Australian State Branch of NUS
President Students’ Association of the University of Adelaide
Mob- 0400273335
Office- 8303 3899
Email- rhiannon.newman@adelaide.edu.au
Mailing Address- Attn: President
Students Association
Lady Symon Building
University of Adelaide
South Australia 5005
Just a little bit of it (coz it went for 11 pages and noone needs to read that) to keep you up to date with whats happening.
In Solidarity,
Rhi
Orientation
Orientation will be make or break for State Branch. It is the only foreseeable way in which we can get anyone involved in the campaign for next year. Currently my plans for Adelaide and most likely Flinders (Uni SA as noted above is still touch and go) involves stalls next to the AEC and sign up sheets for the new E-List as well as lecture bashing, postering and general promotion. This will be the launch of the ‘Voice for the Future’ Campaign so it is obviously important. I am hoping with negotiation with Flinders to incorporate the stall into their FCCS stall. Obviously concrete, specific planning is a little difficult from the perspective of only one activist so with a little luck after the State Conference we will have more direction for Orientation.
Recruitment
As stated in the previous section Orientation is of paramount importance to the Branch. Having spoken to the National Education Officer last week on the issue of NDAs this becomes even more apparent. Let me tell you if we were to hold an NDA in the second/third week of first term on the current number of activists we have now we would have 20 people yelling on the steps of Parliament House. In case you haven’t picked up the doom and gloom overtones of this report our activist network is crying out for members. It is my hope that the many lead up events to whatever we decide to run on the NDA will encourage more people to be actively involved.
Website
A rather exciting thing happened last week where I discovered that there is an (albeit empty) website devoted to South Australia on the unistudent.com! Well I was excited. Now that I am aware of its existence I would like to keep this up to date not only as a reference point for South Australian activists but also as a method of accountability within NUS.
Recommendation 3- That the National Office Bearers assist in the creation of promotional material for South Australian O’Weeks and make a commitment to having at least one OB in the state for the duration of the Orientation period.
Recommendation 4- That the National General Secretary assist the South Australian State Branch President in keeping the SA section of the NUS website up to date and relevant.
Voice for the Future
This will be the focus for the year of State Branch (and on a personal note the Adelaide Uni Students’ Association/SRC.) We all know the specifics of the campaign as adopted by the 2006 conference so I will just speak briefly on the events I intend to run as part of the campaign this year (in addition to Orientation as previously discussed.)
Enrol to Vote- I intend to have regular ‘Enrol to Vote’ days this year. Beginning with Flinders (if it goes ahead) and Adelaide O’Camps, obviously as discussed in Orientation, and near the end of first term a BBQ/Band day at each of the Universities. This is designed not only to keep up momentum for the campaign but also to gauge interest and further recruit more people to the movement.
Fundraising Day- An event I currently have planned within the Adelaide SRC but I am hoping can also be applied to the other campuses. Basically it involves running as low cost an event as possible that is designed to raise money for future campaigns. My personal favourite is the Lost Property Stall. This is an old event that the SAUA has always run whereby Security gives us all their lost property and then we sell it (its quite amazing that people will pay for quite a lot of junk.) Ideas such as bake sales, ‘Busk for your HECS,’ and obviously the standard BBQ have been floated. This has yet to take concrete shape.
NDA- This is the section of my report that I believe will cause the most controversy. At this point in the year I can see no way in which South Australia could have an effective protest. Please take my earlier comment about the 20 people on the steps of Parliament house VERY seriously. This is not an exaggeration. I am fully committed to getting involved in the campaign as a CONCEPT, and will of course have something on the day. However, NDA’s are currently not a viable option in South Australia and I fundamentally believe that it will not be an effective or productive use of my time to spend the entirety of the first half of the year organising one.
Other Stuff- Lecture Bashing, Postering, Forums (hopefully the seat of Adelaide’s candidate debate as in 2004,) leafleting, etc. As much activity as can be arranged on as small a budget as possible. Ideas always welcome. I am also very keen to make some generic banners with slogans such as ‘Vote for the future’ or ‘This Federal Election, will you be voting for Higher Education?’ These will be able to be used throughout the entirety of the year and I hope will be a starting point for getting people interested.
Yours in Union and Solidarity,
Rhiannon Newman
President South Australian State Branch of NUS
President Students’ Association of the University of Adelaide
Mob- 0400273335
Office- 8303 3899
Email- rhiannon.newman@adelaide.edu.au
Mailing Address- Attn: President
Students Association
Lady Symon Building
University of Adelaide
South Australia 5005
Just a little bit of it (coz it went for 11 pages and noone needs to read that) to keep you up to date with whats happening.
In Solidarity,
Rhi
SA NUS Press Release
First Press Release of the State Branch of the National Union of Students available for your perusal.
Students, the ‘Voice for the Future’
The South Australian Branch of the National Union of Students is gearing up for a big year with plans for student involvement in the Federal Election already underway.
South Australian National Union of Students President, Rhiannon Newman, said that plans were well under way to make the student agenda paramount within the Federal Election agenda.
“It’s about making sure that students are not forgotten around polling time. We’ve had ten years of excessive cuts to Higher Education and it’s time that we start taking some of that back”
Ms Newman argues that young people need to be empowered within the democratic process.
“Speaking with young people and in particular students it soon becomes obvious that they are passionate about issues which affect them particularly in the higher education sector they are just not engaged with the process.” Ms Newman said.
In response to criticism that young people are not interested or apathetic, Ms Newman says students are part of an informed and aware generation but one that is continually ostracised and disempowered when it comes to issues both that affect them and the wider community.
“Every student I have come across has been informed and aware regardless of their political ideology. Yet this is not reflected in voter registration or young people involved in the political process. The South Australian branch of NUS is committed to encouraging young people and students in particular to really stand up and ensure their voices are heard at this Federal Election,” Ms Newman said.
“Students are the voice for the future and its time the Government started listening.” Ms Newman concluded.
Just got back from Sydney fror the National Presidents Summit and NUS National Executive. More to come in regard to whats happening in the Higher Education Sector.
In Union,
Rhi
Students, the ‘Voice for the Future’
The South Australian Branch of the National Union of Students is gearing up for a big year with plans for student involvement in the Federal Election already underway.
South Australian National Union of Students President, Rhiannon Newman, said that plans were well under way to make the student agenda paramount within the Federal Election agenda.
“It’s about making sure that students are not forgotten around polling time. We’ve had ten years of excessive cuts to Higher Education and it’s time that we start taking some of that back”
Ms Newman argues that young people need to be empowered within the democratic process.
“Speaking with young people and in particular students it soon becomes obvious that they are passionate about issues which affect them particularly in the higher education sector they are just not engaged with the process.” Ms Newman said.
In response to criticism that young people are not interested or apathetic, Ms Newman says students are part of an informed and aware generation but one that is continually ostracised and disempowered when it comes to issues both that affect them and the wider community.
“Every student I have come across has been informed and aware regardless of their political ideology. Yet this is not reflected in voter registration or young people involved in the political process. The South Australian branch of NUS is committed to encouraging young people and students in particular to really stand up and ensure their voices are heard at this Federal Election,” Ms Newman said.
“Students are the voice for the future and its time the Government started listening.” Ms Newman concluded.
Just got back from Sydney fror the National Presidents Summit and NUS National Executive. More to come in regard to whats happening in the Higher Education Sector.
In Union,
Rhi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
