Australian university trade union backs “education business”
University of Sydney s Main Quadrangle. (Image credit: Jason Tong/Wikipedia)
Despite widespread hostility to this unprecedented assault, reflected in protest rallies by staff and students at many campuses, these attacks are continually deepening, as the NTEU isolates each struggle and opposes any unified political and industrial fight.
Ever more nakedly, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National government and the university managements are exploiting the pandemic, just as all employers are, to restructure their operations to boost profits at the expense of workers.
Last December, in her annual report message, NTEU president Alison Barnes said it had been a successful year for the union, despite the loss of so many jobs. “Indeed, the union has grown even stronger,” she insisted, “building our workplace structures, increasing our workplace density, and strengthening our power.”
Universities face further cuts in the Federal Budget, but vocational training providers say investment in skills training is well overdue Bianca Healey credit: Getty
The Federal Budget revealed investment unevenly distributed across the country’s higher education and vocational training sectors, with the latter winning out.
The JobTrainer program has gained additional funding, with the government’s apprenticeship program winning an additional $1.2 billion.
Peak university bodies argue they’ve missed out, while vocational organisations say the allocation of funds is the best way to get Australians into jobs.
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Peak bodies have reacted accordingly, with those in the university sector speaking out about what it considers another gut punch following the loss of more than 17,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 not to mention the financial impact of plummeting international student numbers.
Australian Education Sector Calls out Government Over Lack of Support in Federal Budget
Many in the Australian higher education sector feel left behind in the 2021-22 Budget after a difficult financial year with reduced international student revenue.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced $19 billion (US$14.8 billion) in funding for universities in his budget speech in Parliament on Tuesday evening.
The measures include creating new employment pathways for students, funding scholarships for women in STEM programs, and supporting international science and technology collaborations.
Over $216 million in funding will also go into establishing additional nursing scholarships to grow and upskill the aged-care workforce.
The federal government also plans to provide around $30,000 (US$23,500) per PhD graduate undertaking industry placements to encourage greater university-industry collaboration under the Research Training Program.
PCC candidate says no malice was intended after complaint is lodged over his WhatsApp teachers rant
Chris Jones apologised for any offence caused following his tirade in the social media group
08:00, 7 MAY 2021
Cllr Chris Jones (Image: LDRS)
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A Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner candidate says no malice was meant by a rant against teachers he made in a local residents’ WhatsApp group.
Private colleges to receive $53 million in federal support, as border closures keep international students at home David Adams
Australia s hard-hit private college sector will receive a $53 million funding boost in next month s Federal Budget, Education Minister Alan Tudge has announced.
Non-university education providers will be encouraged to tailor courses for online or offshore delivery, and courses for domestic students will be subsidised.
The announcement comes as international student arrivals remain at rock-bottom levels due to border closures.
Visit Business Insider Australia’s homepage for more stories.
Australia s hard-hit private college sector will receive a new $53 federal funding injection, designed to support institutions cut off from the lucrative international student pipeline.