We would like to recognise and extend our thanks to the Australian Historical Association (AHA) led by President Michelle Arrow for publishing this open letter to the government with over 100 signatories calling for an end to the Job-Ready Graduates policy.
“We urge you to abolish JRG and to institute a new fee regime which does not punish students who choose to study the humanities and social sciences.”
This letter has been impactful and the product of many hours of work and engagement.
Writers like Tim Winton, Helen Garner and Kate Grenville have joined the call. And so have prominent thinkers and decision makers like Megan Davis, Tim Flannery and The Hon Peter Garrett. All these people have not only benefitted from their Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences education but the benefits of their education have extended to many Australians in the broader community.
We acknowledge the Minister for Education has said the Australian Tertiary Education Commission will review fee setting in Australia and we look forward to supporting that process.
But we also urge the government to consider the generation of Arts students who have and will in the meantime have accrued a lifetime of debt.
You can see interviews with a number of signatories including cook Stephanie Alexander and commentator Jane Caro on our website which were published as part of our Pathway to Success interview series this year.
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