TAMARA SYDENHAM
Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed today that LNP has no immediate plans to scrap compulsory university student services and amenities fee.
The Gillard Government passed legislation in 2011 to allow universities and higher education facilities to charge a fee for non-academic services.
Mr Abbott said to reporters in Melbourne that although LNP does not support the fee, removing it is not a priority at this stage.
“When the former government moved to re-impose compulsory student unionism we obviously opposed it,” Mr Abbott said.
“We have no plans for change in this area at this time.
“We are going to be a very busy and active government over the next few years and this is not a priority for us.”
University student Graham Child said he was disappointed the fee will not be axed.
“I was hoping this issue would be a priority for the LNP government,” he said.
“The fee should be made voluntary for students who actually utilise non-academic services.”