If Kim Carr supports fewer drop outs, why doesn't he support reform?

Kim Carr has exposed himself as a hypocrite yet again as he calls for reform to tackle the growing number of dropouts at Australian Universities while opposing the Government’s higher education reforms which address the issue.

The Government plans to expand the demand driven system to diploma and other ‘pathway’ degrees to help more students gain a higher education qualification. These courses are used to help prepare students who otherwise would struggle at degree level. They also represent a significant qualification in their own right. Under these reforms it is estimated an extra 80,000 students would receive a higher education qualification every year by 2018 and the drop-out rate would be lowered.

Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said that Labor shows it is now a policy vacuum when it comes to higher education reform and has no new ideas.

“The Labor party is now a laughing stock when it comes to higher education policy. It seems content to block our vital and strongly supported reforms for the sake of shameless political point scoring.

“I have invited the Labor party to enter into negotiations with the Government regarding higher education however they have steadfastly refused despite many of their members privately supporting our reforms.

“It is a scandal that Labor opposes expanding the demand driven to diplomas and pathway course which will help tens of thousands more young people into higher education, many of whom will be the first in their family to do so.”

“Pathway courses help address the issue of dropouts at degree level which is why the Kemp Norton specifically recommended the expansion of the demand driven system to incorporate them.”

“With prominent Labor figures such as Maxine McKew coming out in favour of reform, Labor needs to start listening to its own and come to the negotiating table.”