Students take to streets over fees

South Coast Labor Council Secretary Arthur Rorris addressed students before a march to the office of local MP Noreen Hay.

by Rob Long

Education Minister Dr Refshauge's attempts to introduce educational fees sent Illawarra students into the streets on August 13.

More than 150 TAFE students, teachers and staff marched through the streets of Wollongong to protest the introduction of TAFE educational fees. They said: "No TAFE fees."

Protestors came from TAFE colleges in the upper Illawarra region including Wollongong, West Wollongong, Dapto, Shellharbour and Yallah.

They assembled outside the offices of the South Coast Labour Council (SCLC), and then marched through the main streets to the office of the local state MP Noreen Hay.

The rally was addressed by SCLC Secretary Arthur Rorris who congratulated students for standing up to the "arrogant" state Labor Government and demanding their right to free public education.

As they marched through the streets they chanted with anger:

"We won't pay your fascist fees," and "We want free education."

At Ms Hay's office student representatives delivered a petition with hundreds of signatures demanding that the decision to introduce an educational fee on all TAFE courses be overturned.

While the petition was being delivered the students continued chanting loudly their demand: "Education for all not just the rich."

Student group Students of TAFE Action Group (STAG), originating from West Wollongong TAFE, organised the peaceful, non violent rally to highlight the inequities of the Labor Government policy and to demand that TAFE fees are abolished.

Student organiser Trisha Rawnsley congratulated the protesters for their action and thanked them for their cooperation with local police and Wollongong Council.

STAG delegate Kate Stehr said the fees outraged students.

"This is completely targeting disadvantaged students. It is just ridiculous."

TAFE student Ashley Fitch said: "These TAFE fees mean I will not be able to finish my two year diploma in hospitality management. I have forgone full time employment to gain skills to get a better job. This double hit of higher up front fees plus my loss of income is like a slap in the face."

Federation Representative Rob Long said: "The protest is the start of a campaign in the Illawarra to overturn the TAFE fee hike by the NSW Labor Party. The gutless and arrogant introduction of fees on TAFE by the supposed leader of the Labor Party left wing has angered student, teachers, and staff to the point of outright revolt.

"The introduction of education fees on TAFE by a Labor government is a disgrace. The imposition of up front fees will mean students cannot afford to gain the skills they need to get a better job. Unemployment in the Illawarra region is already amongst the highest in Australia, and this TAFE fee hike will make it worse," Mr Long said.

Assistant Federation Representative Russell Hannah added: "These fees will disadvantage students and will mean that many vulnerable people in our community will be unable to undertake education. Fee-free courses such as literacy and community outreach will almost cease to exist. In 40 years of teaching I would never have thought a Labor government would attack some of the most marginalised members of our community."

Rob Long teaches at Wollongong TAFE.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005