Tony Abbott holds off on plans to scrap university student services fees

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/abbott-backpedals-student-services-fee

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Tony Abbott has moved to head off any internal contention about university student services fees by declaring the Coalition has no plans to change the current arrangements at this time.

The prime minister told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday the new government had a very busy legislative agenda – and that would preclude any sudden change on compulsory university service and amenities fees. "I have to say that there is a lot on our plate," Abbott said.

"We are going to be a very busy and active government over the next few years and this is not a priority for us. We have no plans for change in this area at this time."

Abbott's comment followed a signal by the education minister, Christopher Pyne, that the new government would move to abolish amenities fees.

Many Liberals object to the fees on principle on the basis they are a form of compulsory student unionism.

The Nationals, however, support the compulsory fees on the basis that they are used by universities to provide services on campuses, particularly in regional areas. Cash-strapped campuses don't have other sources of income to fund services which could range from childcare to sporting facilities.

Pyne's signal on amenities fees in interviews with various newspapers had already prompted some National MPs to voice public objections. The lower house MP Michael McCormack told the ABC's Triple J network the Nationals supported the fees.

He said any policy change needed to be considered by the Coalition as a whole.

"I think perhaps it has to go to a backbench committee where we have regional Liberals, as well as National party members, who can argue the point on behalf of regional universities and regional students that the student services and amenities fee is an integral part of regional universities campuses," McCormack told the ABC.

Universities Australia also expressed objections to Pyne's comments.

Pyne repositioned on Wednesday. After putting the fees on the agenda in newspaper interviews, he used a subsequent radio interview to clarify that the Coalition would not move to change the current arrangements as a matter of priority.

Abbott's comment at Thursday's media conference underscores the fact that this issue is now on the backburner.

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