Chapter 3 - Democrat Senators' Report
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No. 4) Bill 2005
3.1
The Australian Democrats' views on the provision of
public funding to private higher education providers, and our strong support
for publicly funded, accessible higher education, are well known.
3.2
We recognise that Carnegie Mellon University's
establishment in Adelaide has State and Commonwealth support and is expected to
bring a significant financial benefit to South Australia however, it is
imperative we ensure adequate safeguards are in place to protect the reputation
of our existing public universities.
3.3
For this reason, we endorse and will be moving the
National Tertiary Education Union recommended amendments: 'That the Senate
amend the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No.4) Bill 2005
to ensure Table C providers are listed under the title by which they have been
accredited in Australia', and 'That the Senate amend the Higher Education
Legislation Amendment (2005 Measures No.4) Bill 2005 so that overseas 'universities'
accessing Table C must meet the tests set out in Protocol 1 of the National
Protocol For Higher Education Approval Processes to be able to access
university title in Australia'.[45]
3.4
The Democrats support the tuition assurance requirements
contained in this bill.
3.5
We reserve our judgement on the bill contingent on the
resolution of the matters outlined above.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2005
3.6
This amendment will only be necessary if the Higher
Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) Bill
2005 is passed and the collection of a universal service fee at universities is
banned.
3.7
However, this bill alone will not protect the
availability and affordability of student services - for international or
domestic students, as the fees collected under so-called Voluntary Student
Unionism - even with the passage of this bill - will not be enough to keep many
of the services afloat. Furthermore, many of the services that survive will be
forced to increase dramatically the cost of the services they offer, which are
currently subsidised by the universal student services fee.
3.8
We note concerns raised by the National Liaison
Committee for International Students in Australia (NLC) and the Council of
Australian Postgraduate Associations that this fee for international students
may be further increased to support these services (the student services fee is
already significantly higher for international students than it is for domestic
students). For this reason, we endorse and will be moving the NLC's recommended
amendment that the 'amount charged to international students for the provision
of services required under the ESOS Act be included in the definition of course
monies within the ESOS Act 2000 and not be included in the tuition (by
definition) fee but rather a separate itemised fee'.[46]
3.9
We reserve our judgement on the bill.
Senator
Natasha Stott Despoja
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