Overview – In CAPA’s submission to the Senate Inquiry investigating proposed changes to student loans, we identify some of the changes as likely to have an extremely negative impact on university students, and on postgraduate students in particular. While we are not opposed to an increase in the rate of HELP debt recovery from high-earning graduates, we recommend that plans to lower the repayment threshold, index it to CPI, and introduce a lifetime cap on all HELP loans be abandoned. If the Government is truly concerned with reducing HELP debt, we propose that the upfront payment discount be reintroduced. This discount incentivised early repayment from those with the means to do so.
Stephen Matchett, Campus Morning Mail
It did not get much media attention last week but the government’s legislation to reduce the HELP repayment threshold to $45 000 pa matters to graduates. who unlike the deputy prime minister do not have friends who put them up rent free. “Students undertake their degrees in order to better themselves and to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a better Australia. Students and graduates should be valued by the government, rather than seen as an easy target,” says new president of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations Natasha Abrahams.
Full article: http://campusmorningmail.com.au/news/help-costs/
In February 2018, the Federal Government introduced an amendment to Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) legislation. A Senate inquiry into the proposed changes is being conducted as a result.
CAPA has prepared a briefing to explain the proposed changes, in order to assist affiliates in the preparation of submissions to the inquiry.
The case against changing university loans: CAPA
Kirstie Chlopicki, Campus Review
Plans to introduce a lower repayment threshold for student loans are unscrupulous and will reduce the
number of skilled graduates, the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) says.
CAPA this week released a statement requesting the senate reject the proposal on the grounds that it
would result in hardship rather than progress.
Read more: https://www.campusreview.com.au/2018/02/the-case-against-changing-university-loans-capa/
Media release: CAPA condemns Government’s plan to force lower earning graduates to pay up
14 February 2018 – The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is disappointed by the Government’s plan to introduce a lower repayment threshold for student loans.
Forcing lower-earning graduates to pay 1% of their yearly income will be a hardship for these graduates, but will make little difference to the Government’s bottom line. We implore the Senate to reject this change, in order to show some compassion for those who are just starting in their careers or who are in difficult circumstances.
We believe it is unfair to retroactively impose changed loan terms. Students have entered into their degrees knowing they are committed to paying once they can afford to. If these new rules are introduced, those students and graduates will be burdened with an onerous contract to which they never agreed.
CAPA is furthermore concerned by the loan cap. A loan cap disproportionately affects postgraduate students, particularly those who do not have the advantage of a Commonwealth Supported Place. Students undertaking postgraduate studies in degrees such as law may find that they cannot afford to finish their degree due to having to pay upfront.
Students undertake their degrees in order to better themselves and to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a better Australia. Students and graduate should be valued by the Government, rather than seen as an easy target.
“The Government has already cut funding to universities with their Christmas announcement of a funding freeze; now, they are directly taking money from the pockets of students,” says CAPA National President, Natasha Abrahams.
“The Government should be prioritising an educated workforce for tomorrow, rather than sending a message that they do not care about students.”
END
For comment: CAPA National President Natasha Abrahams
M: 0430 076 993
E: president@capa.edu.au
By Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, CAPA NATSIPA Liaison Officer
Thousands of people gathered across Australia on January 26th, 2018, to mark Invasion Day and to show support for changing the date.
Protests were held across the nation with Sydney and Melbourne attracting some of the largest crowds. Several CAPA office bearers joined in the protest in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2018 marks 230 years since the British invaded Australia, leading to the decimation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also the 80-year anniversary of the Day of Mourning protests, organised by the Australian Aboriginal Progressive League.
In Sydney, tens of thousands marched from Redfern to Victoria Park where the Yabun Festival was underway. The march was organised by respected Elder, Uncle Ken Canning from Fighting in Resistance Equally (FIRE). “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land” and “{no pride in genocide” were chanted by the crowd, while the streets were transformed into a see of Black, Yellow and Red Aboriginal flags.
In Melbourne, an estimated 60,000 people attended the Invasion Day rally, which commenced with Uncle Bill Nicholson giving a welcome to Wurundjeri country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their non-Aboriginal supporters marched through the CBD, stretching from Parliament House down to Swanston Street, along to Flinders Street and back up to the Treasury Gardens.
In Brisbane, 5000 people marched through the streets, up significantly on previous years. The crowd gathered outside state parliament, where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were flown at half-mast after police passed on a request from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders to parliamentary staff.
In Canberra, nearly 1,000 people attended the rally, marching along the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge over Lake Burley Griffin to the Tent Embassy at Old Parliament House, culminating in a smoking ceremony. Protesters who marched have described Australia Day as a “day of mourning”.
In Perth, hundreds of people marched against Australia Day through Perth’s CBD chanting “change the date” as they headed from Forrest Chase to shade tents in front of the Supreme Court Gardens, where the Birak concert began at 3pm.
Other protests were held in Adelaide, Hobart, and other cities around the country.
Injustice For Postgraduate Students
Paul van Lieshout (presenter), RTR FM
Listen to the interview at: http://rtrfm.com.au/story/injustice-for-postgraduate-students/
