The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) is deeply concerned by indications of Coalition support for university fee deregulation and Christopher Pyne’s public statements affirming the Coalition’s commitment to reintroduce Domestic Undergraduate Full Fee places if elected.
President of the Australian Medical Students’ Association, Mr James Churchill, said that student fee increases including the reintroduction of Domestic Undergraduate Full Fee tertiary places would be unacceptable.
“The recent Higher Education Base Funding Review indicates that many courses, including medicine, are chronically and severely underfunded,” Mr Churchill said.
“Universities clearly need more funding, but Australia’s students simply cannot afford to foot the bill.
“Domestic Undergraduate Full Fee tertiary places were abolished for good reason and the Coalition’s proposal to reintroduce them represents a huge step backwards for Australia’s university students.
“Increased student fees may deter students from disadvantaged backgrounds and undo the good work Government and universities are doing to improve equity of access.
“In addition, medical graduates with excessive debt upon graduation are more likely to enter high paying specialties and less likely to pursue careers in primary care as necessary to cater for Australia’s population health needs,” he said.
AMSA calls for domestic full fee places to be banned and for increased university funding from Government without increases in student fees.
Media Contact
Zoe Stewart
0435 052 570
publicrelations@amsa.org.au