Tax on the poor returns

The Australian Liberal Students Federation today slammed the announcement by Federal Minister for Youth Kate Ellis that the Rudd Government would be reintroducing the compulsory student services fee bill back into parliament.

“Kate Ellis has continued her ideological crusade to ensure that students are slugged with an extra $250 a year for services they largely don’t want or use” said ALSF President Alex Butterworth.

A bill similar to the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student

Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009, which would allow universities to charge students up to $250 a year in compulsory student union fees will be reintroduced into Parliament on Wednesday after it was voted down in the Senate in August.

“Senator Steve Fielding summed it up when he called this legislation a tax on the poor”, said Mr Butterworth.

“ At a time when Kevin Rudd has labelled the level of student debt in this country a national disgrace, it is extremely irresponsible to be slugging students an extra $250 a year ”, said Mr Butterworth.

“It would be considered completely unthinkable to legislate for any group in society to be forced to give compulsory donations to a political organisation each year. Why is it ok for students?” said Mr Butterworth.

The ALSF is hopeful that Senators will stand up for the interests of Australian students, particularly students in rural and regional areas who are struggling financially, and vote down this legislation a second time.

Media Enquiries: Alex Butterworth

+61 418 264 020

abutterworth@alsf.org.au

www.alsf.org.au

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