The government could be adding insult to injury on the University of Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

New figures have revealed the University of Newcastle could be set to lose $79 million if the Turnbull Government's higher education reforms get through Parliament.

The loss would come as a result of particular reforms for enabling programs like New Step and Open Foundation, which would be opened up to the private sector and an addition of fees in excess of $3,000.

Newcastle Mp Sharon Claydon along with her Labor team is fighting against the reforms and she believes it would really add insult to injury for the university.

"That's a lot of money and it's coming on top of additional $100 million that the university is set to lose through the so called efficiency dividend over the next ten years if this government's higher education package gets through the parliament."

Tens of thousands of students get into degrees through the enabling programs and Newcastle is the biggest provider of the programs in Australia.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education Tanya Plibersek hosted a roundtable at the University of Newcastle with Sharon Claydon and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Daryl Evans last month to discuss the changes and the effect they'll have on students wanting to undertake study.

The government's views haven't budged since and the Newcastle MP says the reforms will put students off the idea of high education rather than encouraging them to better their learning.

"It's my firm view if the government is looking for savings they'd better look away from education because that's an area we should always be investing - Australia's greatest asset is our people and investing in our people is a long term investment for our future."

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Tanya Plibersek at the roundtable last month.