Rudd Government policy leads to less Uni places

The Rudd Government's illogical axing of full-fee paying domestic students from universities has resulted in fewer places for Australian students despite a rise in applications for tertiary studies, Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education said today.

"This combined with a decline in the numbers of international full-fee paying students coming to study in Australia due to global economic pressure will mean less funds for universities and less opportunity for potential students," Mr Pyne said.

"This is a clear and abject failure of Rudd Government policy, from a Minister for Education who pursues ideology over commonsense," he said.

I find it extraordinary that a Government that promised an education revolution is presiding over a decline in university places. Julia Gillard's revolution appears to be about shrinking the pie not expanding it.

Reports suggest more than 22,000 hopefuls missed out on a first round offer to any university in Victoria alone.

The additional funding brought in by full-fee paying students would have given some of these students the chance of a tertiary education.

"Those students who missed out know the Rudd Government is responsible," Mr Pyne said.