MPs flee parliament vote on uni cuts
Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt has condemned Labor and the Coalition after they voted today against his motion to reverse planned cuts to university funding and student support.
Mr Bandt said the fact more than 100 MPs fled the chamber to avoid having their names recorded showed they were ashamed of their parties’ policy on cuts.
The Greens will continue to fight to reverse the cuts before and after the election, Mr Bandt said.
“Today’s vote again shows that Labor and the Coalition can’t be trusted to stand up for universities and students and that ahead of the election, most MPs are too frightened to be associated with cuts,” Mr Bandt said.
“In an unprecedented display of shame during a division more than a 100 MPs took the opportunity to flee the chamber before the vote was recorded.”
“This fight has only just begun. If Tony Abbott forms government after the election, he will have to pass legislation to implement all the cuts. We are going to fight him all the way.”
“University teaching and research is the key to Australia’s economic prosperity, particularly after the mining boom, which is why these cuts are so stupid and must be reversed.”
Earlier this week the National Tertiary Education Union decided to put in place a $1 million election campaign backing the Greens, including Adam Bandt’s campaign in the seat of Melbourne.
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The Final Vote
AYES, 5
Mr Bandt
Mr Oakeshott
Mr Wilkie
Mr Katter
Mr C. R. Thomson
NOES, 35
Mr Albanese
Mr Fletcher
Mr Mitchell
Mr A. D. H. Smith
Mr Billson
Mr Hartsuyker
Mr Neumann
Dr Southcott
Mr Bowen
Mr Hockey
Mr Neville
Dr Stone
Mr Bradbury
Mr Husic
Mr Perrett
Mr Swan
Mr Briggs
Mr Irons
Mrs Prentice
Mr Symon
Mr Ciobo
Dr Jensen
Mr Pyne
Mr K. J. Thomson
Mr Coulton
Mr E. T. Jones
Mr Ruddock
Mr van Manen
Mr Danby
Mr Keenan
Mr Secker
Mr Wyatt
Mr Dutton
Mr McCormack
Mr Shorten