Amid a deepening crisis in Australian universities, the Western Sydney University and Macquarie University Rank-and-File Committees have united against the Albanese Labor government’s cuts to international student enrollments and jobs. Over 3,000 jobs have been axed due to the government’s reduction in new international students by 30 percent, with further cuts planned.
Each university’s funding will now be linked to a government-appointed commission, aligning academic activities with Labor’s corporate and military objectives. This shift has led to job and course cuts across various institutions, including prestigious ones like University of Melbourne, Western Sydney University, and Macquarie University.
Despite protests, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and other unions have not spearheaded a unified resistance against the job losses and closures. Arts and humanities have borne the brunt of these cuts, affecting crucial fields of study like archaeology, music, and education.
The government’s focus on national priorities like clean energy and defense has intensified, aligning universities with pro-corporate and militaristic agendas. This move has been criticized for its impact on international students, with visa application fees tripling and harsher requirements imposed.
Labor’s policies have exacerbated a $10 billion cut in university funding over the past decade, with universities now pressured to comply with U.S. foreign policy objectives or face research funding cuts. The government’s actions have stirred controversy, including efforts to stifle dissent against Israeli policies.
Despite the public’s rejection of Trump-style policies, Labor continues down a similar path, prompting calls for a unified struggle by university staff and students. Rank-and-file committees are being proposed to counter the government’s agenda and protect the rights of students and academics.
Efforts to organize a national online meeting at the semester’s start aim to galvanize support for this cause. The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) is highlighted as a key platform for educators and students to mobilize against layoffs, budget cuts, and the erosion of public education quality.
This movement is not just about university job cuts but is part of a broader fight against capitalism’s pursuit of corporate wealth and militarism. By uniting staff and students, the campaign seeks to challenge government dictates and uphold the principles of free, quality education for all.
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