Healthy Universities – a public investment in the public interest

Greens Leader Bob Brown was at Sydney University today to launch the Greens Higher Education Policy for Election 07.
"The Greens policy recognises the urgent need to boost public investment in public universities, to support students and assist researchers to equip Australia to thrive in the 21st Century," Senator Brown said.
"John Howard has announced $100 billion in tax cuts over the past three years, but Australia's universities have been starved of funds. Students are left with massive HECS debts, teaching staff are under stress and research talent has been driven overseas."
"The Greens policy will bring public expenditure on universities up into the top ten of OECD countries as a first step to restoring the sector to full health," Senator Brown said.
Greens Education Spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle said, "The Greens policy is to remove fees and abolish HECS debts, reinstate funding for student guilds and associations, and boost financial support to allow students to stud rather than work to pay their rent in term time.
"A core funding boost of $1.2bn each year will allow universities to employ more staff and address deferred maintenance and capital works.
"The Greens commitment to increase discretionary research funding via an independent Australian Research Council will go a long way to revitalise the free pursuit of research in the public interest.
"The Greens 'Sun Fund' proposal calls for $3billon over 10 years to drive the technological and societal innovation required to get Australia leading the world in sustainable energy and transport delivery.
Contact – Jon Edwards 0428 213 146