`better Off On Dole' Thanks To Fee Hikes

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday October 16, 2003

By LISA SEWELL

WOLLONGONG students Vanessa Hayes and Ashley Fitch claim that under the new TAFE fee structure, they would be better off quitting their jobs, leaving home and signing on for the dole.

That way the pair - who took their grievances to State Parliament yesterday - would be eligible for fee exemptions and would receive allowances for travel and many of the resources needed for their hospitality management course.

At the moment the young women are facing a course fee of $1200 - up from $710 this year - plus additional costs for travel and parking, uniforms and equipment.

This year Ms Hayes estimates she has spent $3000 - half her annual income - on TAFE expenses.

``It's been hard this year but my part-time waitressing job, and the fact that I am still living at home, has enabled me to get by financially," she said.``It's always been my goal to get into hospitality management and this course will help me get there, but I just don't know how I'm going to afford to do my final year next year.

``I was outraged when I heard about the fee hikes - I felt like it was a slap in the face when I'd already been struggling so hard to get my qualifications."

Ms Fitch, 19, added: ``I need the qualifications if I want to get out of a dead-end job and I can't quit halfway through the course - but I think the only way I'll be able to afford the fees next year is by taking out a loan.

``If I quit my job and moved out of home and applied for social benefits, I'd be in a far better position."

TAFE teachers Rob Long and Russell Hannah and South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris accompanied the students to State Parliament yesterday.

They met representatives of Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge as well as members of the Legislative Council.

Mr Long, NSW Teachers Federation representative for Wollongong TAFE, said the students had effectively put their case forward and had been asked to put a submission into the Labor Party's review of TAFE fees.

``The region already has many disadvantaged groups and individuals who will not be able to afford the fee increases," he said.

``Some of these students such as homeless youth, women in violent relationships and people in casual and low paid jobs who are not connected to the Centrelink network will suffer the most.

``They will be expected to pay these fees up front before they gain the skills they require to get better jobs."

The announcement of fee hikes in the State Budget has caused rolling stoppages, protests and campaigns at TAFE campuses across the state.

The increases will mean some certificate courses will rise from $260 to $850 while graduate diplomas, now $710, will cost $1650.

Originally, all fee-exempt courses were scrapped but last month the Government did a backflip when it announced basic learning courses would remain free.

The exemption policy - for those on benefits - remain in place.

© 2003 Illawarra Mercury

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