Moncrieff Media

Gold Coast students face $250 hit for “services”

09 September 2009

Gold Coast tertiary students could be slugged with $250 each under a Rudd Labor Government move to introduce a compulsory campus tax, local MP Steven Ciobo says.

Gold Coast students, who only weeks ago breathed a sigh of relief when the compulsory tax was voted down in Federal Parliament, now face the renewed prospect of paying the fee under a Labor Government move to resuscitate the legislation.

"This government is clearly out of touch with the needs of local students," Mr Ciobo said. "Despite the increased cost of living and dwindling job security, they want to hit students with another badly timed $250 tax."

Although the legislation was voted down less than a month ago, the government is re-introducing the bill as a way of funding universities’ campus services.

"Funding university services, such as childcare facilities, with the student tax is unfair when all students must pay for services which they may not want, need or ever use," Mr Ciobo said.

"External students, for example, would still have to pay the tax despite never having the opportunity to use the services they are forced to pay for.

"Students should have the right to choose what they pay for rather than having their money spent on unnecessary services.

"Last month, by stopping this bill, the Coalition essentially put $250 back into every local student’s pocket. This money could then be spent on more vital needs like textbooks, rent, transport etc.

"But now the Rudd Government is trying to take that back, by unfairly forcing students to subsidise services which are not needed.

"What should also concern locals is that this bill breaks a Labor Party election promise not to introduce a ‘compulsory amenities fee’.

"Gold Coast students should stand up and be heard on this issue which is being reintroduced by stealth back into Parliament."