Comparing the Parties' Policies

NTEU’s Federal Election scorecard Comparing the parties’ policies

The lead-up to the 2013 Federal The Coalition released its ‘Real Solutions’ relationships between Labor, the Greens, and a document in January 2013, which represents a number of key independents. election has been marked with thumbnail of policy ideas it would advance in Going into this election has seen the emer- government. The Coalition has not committed gence of a number of minor parties that do leadership uncertainty and to reversing the $2.3 billion funding cuts, or not have a specific interest in higher educa- even ruled out further cuts, and has avoided the toppling of another sitting tion, including the Wikileaks Party, the Katter policy pronouncements in the health and Australia Party and Palmer’s United Party. These Prime Minister. The policy education portfolios. can be added to the already established small parties – The Sex Party, Family First, CDP, various directions of the major parties If the Coalition perceives it has an election-win- hunting/fishing parties and others. are becoming moving targets ning lead, it may delay as long as possible – or even refrain from – issuing any detailed higher Four Independents voted to support Greens in some key controversial education policy. Though the Opposition Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt’s motion Leader told the Universities Australia confer- against the university cuts in the House of Rep- areas including the $2.3 billion ence early this year that higher education policy resentatives on 20 June 2013: Bob Katter, Rob university cuts, the fixed could do with a period of ‘masterful inactivity’, it Oakeshott, Craig Thompson and Andrew Wilkie. appears a Coalition Government would aggres- The election campaign may bring greater clarity carbon price, asylum seekers sively advance policy change, at least in relation to the parties’ policies on issues relevant to to online learning, international education and NTEU members, and the policy positions listed and potentially a reversal of research funding. on the scorecards following are based upon ex- policy to put single parents on The Australian Greens have responded to the isting policies outlined by the Coalition and the Newstart allowances. Senator $2.3 billion slashed from university funding by Australian Greens, as well as Labor’s legislative establishing the ‘Uni Cuts Hurt’ campaign, and and public record in the last three years, as of 12 Kim Carr has returned to committing to a number of positions on higher July 2013. education including rejection of the funding See overpage for our policy scorecard. the education and research cuts, a 10% increase in base funding per stu- portfolios with enthusiasm dent, better student income support and measures to relieve student debt, and the protection and has anticipated policy of the rights of university workers. changes, immediately noting The 43rd Parliament was Australia’s first minority government since the sector’s opposition to the 1941-43. The passage of over 590 $2.3 billion cuts announced individual pieces of legislation during this period back in April. depended upon close working Federal Election scorecard

POLICIES ALP LNC GRN COMMENTS $2.3 BILLION IN UNIVERSITY CUTS Increase funding per government ✖ – ✔ Labor has advised the sector that there will be no additional per student funding increase. The Coalition supported student by 10% in line with the are silent on this issue. The Greens support a 10% increase in per student base funding over four years. Base Funding Review (BFR) Reverse $900 million efficiency dividend ✖? ✖ ✔ In the June 2013 Senate Estimates, Labor stated that $2.3 billion of funding cuts are planned to take to university funding effect from January 2014 but indications from the new Minister are that there may be changes on the funding cuts. The Coalition voted against a repeal of the cuts on 20 June. The Greens oppose the cuts. - Restore Student Start-up Scholarships ✖? ✖ ✔ In the recent speculation, the new Minister has not indicated that Labor will reverse the cuts to scholar ($1.2 billion) and up-front payment of ships and up-front payment of HECS. The Coalition will likely retain these cuts. The Greens are opposing HECS ($300 million) them.

HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY Higher Education Support Amendment (Demand Driven Funding System and Other Maintain student demand-driven model ✖? ✔ ✖ Labor introduced the Measures) Act in September 2011, but the new Minister has now considered restoring caps on student numbers. The Coalition has stated it supports the current system. The Greens reject demand-driven and entitlement-based funding for universities.

Maintain current ban on full fees for ✔ ✖ ✔ Upon forming government, Labor reversed the Coalition’s policy that had allowed for full fee places for domestic students domestic students. Labor and the Greens continue to oppose full fees for domestic students. The Coalition in 2010 and again in August 2012 stated it would reintroduce full fees for domestic students. National Research Investment Plan (NRIP) in No- Support a national plan for investment ✔ ✖ ✔ The Government, with the Chief Scientist, published the in research vember 2012. In response to a call by higher education organisations to back a strategic national research policy, the Coalition has committed to protecting only medical research funding. The Greens have called for the Government to set a national target of 3% of GDP for research and development funding.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Commitment to reduce casualisation in ✖ ✖ ✔ Labor has not responded to the ACTU’s Secure Work campaign. The Coalition is committed to greater Australian universities employment ‘flexibility’. The Greens are committed to measures that reduce casualisation and increase job security. In November 2012, the Greens introduced legislation designed to allow the Fair Work Commission to make orders for more secure working arrangements.

Maintain a paid parental leave scheme ✔ ✔ ✔ Labor introduced Australia’s first national Paid Parental Leave scheme on January 2011, with 18 weeks paid at minimum wage. The Coalition is proposing a Paid Parental Leave Scheme paid by a 1.5% levy on companies with taxable income, paid at full salary up to $150,000. The Greens propose 26 weeks paid at the minimum wage, which could be topped up through bargaining. Fair Work Amendment Act in late June 2013, which Legally enforceable workplace flexibility ✔ ✖ ✔ Labor, with the support of the Greens, passed the for families includes extending the ‘right to request’ flexible work arrangements. The legislation was opposed by the Coalition and Senator Xenophon. In 2012, the Greens introduced a private members’ bill with a right to have the Fair Work Commission arbitrate if the employer refuses a request.

Protect union rights ✔ ✖ ✔ The former Coalition Government introduced the Higher Education Workplace Relation Requirements (HEWRRs) which were a preliminary version of WorkChoices targeted at university staff. Labor returned a significant number of union rights with the introduction of the Fair Work Act 2009. The Greens have committed to protect the rights of university workers, including the rights of unions to enter workplaces, organise members and engage in strike action.

STUDENTS AND INCOME SUPPORT Funding for independent student advoca- ✔ ✖ ✔ The Coalition introduced voluntary student unionism (VSU) legislation in 2005, removing the funding cy and representation that supported independent student representation. This was partially restored by Labor in 2011 with the Student Services and Amenities Act, but with some concerns highlighted by student organisations. The Greens support the full restoration of student advocacy and representation rights.

Maintain the real cap on HECS fees ✔ ✔ ✔ In response to the Base Funding Review, Labor stated it did not support increasing student contributions at that time. In August 2012, the Coalition stated it would not cap places or increase HECS. The Greens have a stated commitment to HECS reform to relieve the rising student debt burden.

Increase student income support ✔ ✔? ✔ In 2010, Labor introduced changes that targeted student income support to the most disadvantaged students. The National Party supports an expansion of income support targeted at students from rural - and regional backgrounds, but groups within the Coalition have only recently campaigned to abolish Ab study. Austudy support remains below Newstart levels and the Greens want to increase Youth Allowance by $50. (See section on Student Start-up Scholarships for more.) Federal Election scorecard

POLICIES ALP LNC GRN COMMENTS INDIGENOUS ISSUES Implement recommendations from the ? ? ? Since Minister Chris Evans left office, there has been limited progress on the Behrendt Report’s findings. 2012 Review of Higher Education Access Even though Tony Abbott has declared Indigenous affairs will be a top priority under a Coalition Govern - and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres ment, the Coalition has not released its detailed Indigenous Affairs policy. The Greens position on the Strait Islander People (Behrendt Report) Review is also unclear. Mandate Indigenous employment – – – No parties have made a statement about this crucial area of higher education policy. targets tied to funding agreements for all universities

Overturn all aspects of the NT Interven- ✖ ✖ The Coalition introduced the NT Intervention and this has been supported by Labor through the ✔ Stronger tion and restore the goal of true self-de- Futures legislation in 2011. The Greens are committed to repealing the Northern Territory Intervention termination for Indigenous people and Stronger Futures. Repay ‘stolen wages’ to Indigenous ✖ ✖ ✔ Labor removed its Stolen Wages policy from its national party platform in 2009. The Coalition is silent on workers and their families this issue. The Greens are committed to compensating the Stolen Generations and have previously sought to establish a Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal. Ensure appropriate consultation with a ✖ ✖ ✖ While all the major parties have made commitments to the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and view to negotiate and deliver true Sov- Torres Strait Islanders, none have done so in terms of the negotiation of a Treaty. Although the Greens ereignty, a Treaty and self determination have mentioned Sovereignty in their policy, it is in the framework of recognition within the Constitution for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander as per the other two parties. people

HUMAN / CIVIL RIGHTS Recognition for same sex marriage ✔✖ ✔✖ ✔ Marriage equality is part of Labor’s platform, and it has previously allowed a conscience vote on the issue. Coalition policy states that marriage be defined as being between a man and a woman, and party policy cannot be subject to a conscience vote. However, Tony Abbott has indicated that the party room of a future parliament could change that policy. Some Labor and Coalition Senators co-sponsored a mar - riage equality bill in 2012. The Greens support same sex marriage and have proposed private members bills on many occasions. Oppose mandatory detention of asylum ✖ ✖ ✔ Labor’s policy on asylum seekers was changed as a result of the Houston Review. It involves the seekers introduction of a ‘no advantage principle’ to ensure no benefit to asylum seekers who arrive by boat, and the reopening of Nauru and Manus Island detention centres. Both Labor and the Coalition supported the excision of the mainland from the migration zone, which now denies the application of the Refugee Convention to asylum seekers who arrive by boat. Both Labor and the Coalition have rejected bids to open offshore centres to inspection by Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, and blocked attempts to give Australian media the same access it has to mainland detention centres. The Greens want offshore processing stopped.

CLIMATE CHANGE / SUSTAINABILITY Price on pollution (carbon price) ✔ ✖ ✔ In 2012, Labor legislated a price on carbon with the Greens’ support. The Coalition intends to repeal any scheme within six months of winning office, and implement a Direct Action Plan that will depend upon planting soil carbons. As of 15 July 2013, Labor has removed the fixed price on carbon and moved to fast track a floating carbon price. Reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas ✖ ✖ ✔ Labor and the Coalition share a target of reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% emissions by at least 20% by 2020 compared to 2000 levels by 2020. The Greens are pushing for a 90% renewable energy target by 2030.

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This article appears in the July 2013 edition of NTEU’s member magazine, Advocate. View publication at www.nteu.org.au/advocate

Authorised by Grahame McCulloch, General Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union, 120 Clarendon St, South Melbourne VIC 3205. www.nteu.org.au. NATIONAL TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION MEMBERSHIP FORM  I want to join NTEU  I am currently a member and wish to update my details The information on this form is needed for aspects of NTEU’s work and will be treated as confidential.

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