MEDIA RELEASE
12 May 2017
Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd MP is glad to see funding for the Petrie University Campus come through in the Federal Budget this week, but is disappointed to see students will have to pay more in higher fees.
“For the better part of a year I have been campaigning to secure funding and make a local university a reality. Until the funding was announced this week, there wasn’t certainty with this project,” Ms Boyd said.
“I have been out across the electorate speaking with local families about this issue and had hundreds of people calling on Mr Dutton to deliver this funding to make a fully funded uni a reality.”
“Our community stood together and sent a strong message to Mr Dutton and the Federal Government; investing in education and higher learning matters to us.”
“Let’s be clear though, this funding is a concessional loan to the University of the Sunshine Coast; it depends on negotiations and it won’t be published, so there is still some uncertainty around the final outcome.”
“Also the $35 million grant to Moreton Bay Regional Council for the project is from last year’s budget so this is nothing new,” Ms Boyd said.
There have also been changes to university fees in this year’s Federal Budget, including a 7.5% HECS fee hike and pressure for earlier HECS repayments.
“All the while, the Federal Government have increased university tuition fees, are forcing future graduates to start repaying their HECS on lower incomes, and have completely abandoned vocational training,” Ms Boyd said.
“Mr Dutton and his colleagues have completely walked away from the National Partnership Agreement and investment in vocational skills in this budget.”
“This is an area of investment we are in desperate need of, not just in our community but right across the nation.”
“Pine Rivers locals value education, not just for our kids but for those who have been made redundant or shut out of the economy. Education is how they regain an advantage and re-enter the workforce or start up their own business.”
“Higher education benefits all of us and I will always advocate for it to be accessible to everyone in our community, not just those who can afford it, unlike Mr Dutton and the LNP.”
ENDS