Part 2 on User Pays Systems: HECS
The introduction of HECS by the Hawke Labor Government saw University education become a user pays system, though it must be said it was somewhat more equitable a system under Labor. This is a worrying trend for Australian society. I want my doctors to be the best available. I want them to be smart people. I want the same of my scientists and my politicians and everyone who goes to Uni. They all contribute to the greatness of our society. I don’t want money to be determining who gets a Uni degree.
I was discussing this with a friend who argued against me quite well. She said that somebody has to pay for Uni, why not the users, as they take benefits from it too. She pointed out to me that it wasn’t as though the people being let in to Uni didn’t still have to pass. But I’ve had more of a think about this defence.
I remember one of my philosophy tutors telling us about how it never used to be a big deal when he failed a student. Students more often than not copped it on the chin and many came back and had another shot in ensuing semesters. But he said that since students started paying, many feel they are paying for a pass and are entitled to that degree. As such, the regulations on him for failing or passing students have been significantly tightened and he said it is now extremely rare for him to fail a student because it just isn’t worth the effort. This is the reality of what happens when you let money undermine the education system. (And I won’t start up a debate about what I’ve known many private school teachers to do to make sure their kids maintain the school’s rep, regardless of how little the kids achieve in reality on their way to a place at Uni).
The Liberal Party loves its user pays systems. But how far will it go? I notice these things haven’t been turned into user pays systems:
1. I didn’t vote Liberal, but I helped pay for their election campaign.
2. I didn’t agree with the Iraq war, but I still helped pay for it.
3. I don’t own a car, but I still help subsidise Queensland’s fuel prices.
4. I don’t eat meat, but I still help subsidise our meat farmers.
5. I don’t read most of the reports put out by Government, but I still help pay public servants’ salaries.
6. I’ve never stayed at Kirribilli House, but I help fund it.
7. I’ve never been the victim of crime, but I help pay for our jails.
8. I don’t trade with Asia, but I still support our diplomats.
9. I don’t have any babies, but I helped pay for the baby bonus.
10. I’ll probably never be unemployed but I help pay for the dole.
11. I’m not with Telstra but I help pay for the Government’s half.
12. I don’t study most subjects offered at Uni, but I help pay for everyone’s degree, even the neo-cons studying political science.
13. I’ve never run for Parliament, but I help pay politicians’ salaries.
14. I tend not to get sick, but I help pay for Medicare.
15. I don’t have kids, but I help pay for public and private education.
16. I’m not a starving Somalian, but I give money to charity.
With the rights that come from living in a free democracy come certain responsibilities. This includes a need for us to contribute to the wellbeing of fellow citizens in our society. Education funding pays off in the long run when you have people who can do jobs well that benefit society.
Government is not a charity, but it’s not nearly as simple as Nelson would like to lead us to believe. His populist argument sounds convincing on the surface, but in my view it doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Government does need to provide some services, and most of the services provided by student unions are among these. And to do that, people do need to be forced to pay taxes and levies and fees. It contributes to more equal distribution of wealth.
Otherwise we may as well abolish public health and public education systems and let everyone fight over everything down to the last crumb.