"You seem to be missing a key fact that the government not just the consumer, will have the increased (or possible, but unlikely decrease) cost of education"
--I STILL cannot believe you are using such comparisons. You can't compare individual education cost increases to government ones (even in mass) and expect it to hold up-- the Government is not some poor sick homeless little child--- they spend NOWHERE NEAR adequate amounts on health; I might point out to you the recent Medicare issues (within Sydney especially) that are limiting healthcare availability and also the fact that the governments supposed 'key health issue' for Australia over the last decade has been more funding and better rationing for health resources OUTSIDE our major cities-- currently G.P stats are down in all regional areas, (and that is fact, Im not just saying; you can check if you can be bothered) as are health resources etc --IE. The Gov is cutting back as it is. Continually, whether they have an exciting press release about it or not. Of course you don't think cuts in spenditure are a good move-- who does? But, it still happens whether you get there in time to have an opinion or not. Education is exactly the same. None of it is spread equally or even adequately and you will find that that exciting little list of billions etc you quoted isn't going to go far. "Greater scope" means nothing, especially in relation to 6-7 years time.
Come on! Firstly, take a look at the wording of those statements (whosever they are)-- if you're going to prove to the rest of Australia that our Gov has decided NOT to screw us over for the first time EVER, then go for the specifics. I can guarantee you wont find all of them, and further, none of these billion dollar phrases will be implemented the way you expect them to-- in the way impression says they will be implemented.
If you're going to argue that the many Australian People who endeavour to seek higher and tertiary education aren't going to be facing major problems than you're going to need to find another speech, because we've seen the billiondollar talk before; quoting statistics doesn't have the same effect that it once did. Localise it, show me EXACTLY where education is going to get better-- or further, give me a 2decade progression of education costs rising up to this apparently COMING one, and then put it alongside a comparison to their plans to increase employment throughout Australia --- you'll see similarities in past and future plans.
And THEN, when you've done that, try and tell me that unemployment in Australia hasn't risen or that it hasn't stayed exactly as it was.
(You can mention Whitlam and free education all you want, and its GREAT that were not paying quite the full fees anymore, but then you look at the changes that Hawk made and then further, what the Howard government is doing (by way of attempting to fund Australias unis in much the same way U.S ones are now funded) and its pretty fucking clear how very backwards we are going.)
I am just trying to show you that these digits to be implemented in the near future have been changed and re-evaluated every single fucking year and that's all it becomes-- this future plan. The minister of education can get on national TV and SAY it's going to happen because it IS a future plan, they can publish whatever they want so long as they're GOING TO DO IT but it's funny, because you know there always seems to be a hold-up.
Don't be fooled -- knowing about economics and being able to quote statistics doesn't give you any kind of insight into your government except for that one point you had about economic rationalism-- essentially, economic functionalism, because 'rationing' (in the true sense of the word) is NOT what out Gov does.
"Further, I do not think there should be increased government intervention in Universities. Universities have to be self sufficent,"
What the fuck? Is that like saying Health should be entirely separate? Or that certain areas of health should be entirely 'self sufficient.' Wow. Here I am, thinking that universities need funding because our education system is going down the drain but nonono--- it's THEIR OWN fault, because they're meant to pull funding off the trees!
Please. I mean. Where are you going to end that argument? Are we somehow drawing the line now, at funding for post-compulsory education? Because it certainly seems like it from that comment. Or perhaps youre [also] implying what I mentioned previouslythat like in the U.S, public education should be funded solely by the national economy --in which case, education is definitely screwed.
" and I guess we need to attract more international fee paying students to the country (maybe more domestic, but I am a bit hesitent about more places for domestic full fees - unless they are new places, rather than ex-HEC's places). Both the government and Labors plans have merit, and both have failings. I am not quite sure which will work best, probably Labor in the short term and the governments in the long term."
Many of our universities are overpopulated as is, in terms of places and resources. Perhaps we should find another planet for these students, perhaps we should wish upon a star. I realise that many universities are funded in part by international students (in fact I saw something about a Melbourne uni have 21% of its funding come from international students, rather than the average 7%) but you know, again, the Gov is relying on international boosts instead of redressing their Public Education policies.
You know I am SICK TO DEATH of having to defend myself and the view of more than half the population because an intelligent yet at the same time naive person with an understanding of economics comes along with a budget list and a microphone yelling "it's for the greater good!". Okay, it's NOT, and that comment about misinformation and half truths (I assume it was aimed at least partially at myself) applies just as much to you and the rest of the nation because your government is never going to tell you an entire truth about reforms etc, and education is in the same position as every other area of government 'interest': lacking.
Except maybe defence, but we wont go there.
Its great that youre happy with your countries current tertiary education policies, its great that you seem to think that university can only be for the rich--- and I mean, by endorsing this on a personal level, thats exactly what you are saying. Youre saying SCREW the Australian public, SCREW the families and individuals particularly in regional areas of Australia (more than 1 third of the population) who cant afford higher and tertiary education costs as it is, SCREW gloria*, because just like my government, I believe in pushing everything else out of the way for a rise in my dollar. I believe in the international market, I believe in money.
On the other hand, perhaps youre just entirely too optimistic about your government.
I find that like many economically driven opinions, yours fails to consider the social effects of such reforms, and fails also to localise these effects to an individual levelbecause thats really what uni is about, achievement on an individual level. And if nobody but the rich can afford it, then whats the fucking point.
(It occurs to me that this is the wrong place for this. If you wish to respond, pm me or we should make another thread or something.)