Stop the Destruction of our University System: Clive Palmer

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

The federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, has called on the federal government to end its destruction of the Australian university system through deregulation.

“We should be doing everything we can to encourage our smartest Australians to pursue tertiary education and take this great country forward, rather than put barriers in their way such as higher fees,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“We need to return to a free higher education system for Australian students so everybody can have the same dreams and aspirations about bettering themselves and this nation, regardless of their circumstances.”

Mr Palmer has written to Education Minister Christopher Pyne advising him all Palmer United Party senators will vote against his education reform proposals for the Australian community.

“All Australians need access to higher education,” Mr Palmer said.

‘Deregulating universities just means they will cost more for all Australians to have a decent education to provide for their families.

“Australian universities should be for Australians. Australia has a great education system and it shouldn’t be destroyed by the Abbott government.”

Mr Palmer said Australia lost more than it gained by imposing ongoing debt on tertiary graduates.

“The Abbott system stifles our best thinkers by burying them in debt,’’ he said.

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