Greens win for education in the west

Greens MPs in State Parliament have succeeded in an amendment to compel Victoria University to consider the needs of students in the west, after a surprise show of support from the government opposition to the Greens amendment.

"There are plenty of intelligent people in the western suburbs.  But a lot of intelligent people miss out on university education, because they lack opportunity," said Greens MLC Colleen Hartland in parliament today. 

"Students who have to overcome disadvantage at school are better at thinking for themselves and researching, and tend to be more self-motivated. These are the skills you need at university, but they are not the skills that get you into a university".

"If Victoria University does not remain bound by the obligation to expand education opportunities in the Western suburbs, who else will break the cycle of students in my area thinking they are not good enough to go to university?"

Ms Hartland's amendment responded to a government process of modernising and streamlining universities legislation, which removed the special obligation to the west, and to students of a lower socio-economic background, from the university's legislation.

"This must indeed be a troublesome clause for a university trying to cut costs, slash staff, and slash the support services that made it possible for disadvantaged students to achieve their degrees.  Troublesome enough to go missing from the Victoria University Bill 2009."

"This amendment is to do with substantial issues that affect the every day lives of people in the western suburbs, like education, social justice and access to resources.  A number of recent events have raised concerns that Victoria University is starting to move away from its special responsibility to the western suburbs."

"The Minister should ... use this legislation, strengthened by the Greens amendment, to encourage the University to re-open the Sunbury campus."

Ms Hartland spoke about returning to education at the age of 40, at Victoria University's St Albans Campus.  She said that the support services, which have now been slashed, helped her succeed in her course and overcome the gaps in her education at a disadvantaged government school. She called on the government and opposition not to take out their frustrations on VU, simply because it educated a "troublemaker" like her.

For comment: Colleen Hartland - 9689 6373