Senate Rejects Students Services Bill

Australian students will pay the price of the Liberal and National Partiesâ decision to vote down the Governmentâs Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities and Other Measures) Bill 2009 on Tuesday.
âThe Coalition has delivered a serious blow to Australian students,�? according to Federal Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis.
The Coalitionâs decision to oppose the Bill will mean the demise of university services in health, sport and fitness services.
Minister Ellis claimed that under the current arrangements, close to $170 million has been ripped out of university funding resulting in the decline and in some instances complete closure of vital services.
The Bill proposed a balanced and sustainable approach to restoring student services on university campuses, while precluding a return to compulsory student unionism.
âThe passage of this Bill would have secured a long term future of critical support services on university campuses including child care, counseling and welfare support,�? Minister Ellis said.
âIt would have provided universities with the opportunity to fund critical services rather than redirect funding away from research and teaching budgets to make up the shortfall of funding for campus services.�?
âIt would have helped to attract international students and support our $15.5 billion in 2008 international education industry.�?
âAnd it would have helped universities rebound from the global economic downturn which has had a significant affect on Australian universitiesâ investments.
âAs Sports Minister, I am also disappointed that university sport, the back bone of Australian sport, will pay a huge price as a consequence of the Coalitions ideological driven decision.
âThe Government remains committed to rebuilding student services on campus â because we know that it is not only in the best interest of Australian students, itâs in the best interest of our economy and the long term future of our nation.�?