Federal Labor today announced a funding commitment of $174 million program to expand university access to attract more students to attend university from outer suburbs, from regional and rural areas, from Indigenous backgrounds, and students with a disability.
Speaking on ABC Radio’s AM program, Opposition Shadow Minister Tanya Plibersek said:
“About 63 per cent of young people have a university degree, but somewhere like Morton Bay … that proportion is just 13 per cent. The reason is not because intelligence and aptitude is unevenly spread; it's because opportunity is unevenly spread.
“So, we'll work with universities in particular, but also TAFE and not-for-profit community organisations, to make sure that young Australians right across the country are able to attend university, if they've got the preparedness to work hard and the aptitude to do so.”
Community Colleges Australia comment:
“As a general rule, CCA supports increased access to post-secondary education. This is one of the most important means of skilling Australia, of preparing young – and older – people for work and for changes in the nature of employment, and of ensuring that we engage the most vulnerable and disadvantaged,” said Dr Don Perlgut, CEO of Community Colleges Australia.
“We are pleased that Ms Plibersek has identified TAFE and not-for-profit community organisations as playing an important role in university preparedness,” said Dr Perlgut.
