Pyne needs to Keep It Clever
Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP and Higher Education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon, today said the Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, needs to Keep It Clever.
“Mr Pyne appears to be suffering a case of cognitive dissonance,” said Mr Bandt.
“He is talking up our universities and says that he backs the Universities Australia ‘Keep It Clever’ campaign but at the same time the Abbott Government is lining up higher education and research for funding cuts.
“Instead of trying to have a bet each way, Mr Pyne should reassure the higher education and research sectors by confirming that they will not have their funding cut in the May Budget,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Government is currently trying to rip a massive $2.3b out of our university system. The last thing universities and students need is weasel words from Mr Pyne, followed by more cuts,” said Senator Rhiannon.
“Australia lags far behind the OECD average for public investment in universities. In fact we’ve gone backwards since 1995.
“Mr Pyne needs to commit to protecting funding for higher education, not talk up the sector while his colleague, Joe Hockey, is preparing to cut it,” said Senator Rhiannon.
More than 14,000 people have now signed the Respect Research pledge, which is part of the Greens’ Respect Research campaign. www.respectresearch.com.au