THIS week, federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne has introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to deregulate university fees and cut course funding by an average of 20 per cent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Indi Cathy McGowan will vote against changes she believes will prevent some young people studying and lead to a “brain drain” from regional and rural areas.
Ms McGowan said there were already a large number of young people taking a gap year to earn money towards their studies, but there would be increased pressure for them to earn even more money.
They would move away from their families in regional areas and be less likely to return home — and even to their studies.
Ms McGowan said students and their families need some clarity as to what was going to happen with the reforms ahead of making decisions about their plans next year.
But she believed the reforms wouldn’t get through the Senate because of the opposition from Labor, the Greens and the balance of power senators.
It seems Mr Pyne and his government will need to have thought of a plan B, as Ms McGowan has suggested.