LL:ART: Democrats claim students better of under the GST

[Bullimore / Kim Maree (COM)]

EDUCATION UNIONS CONDEMN DEMOCRATS - Daily Telegraph 2/6/99
by Kate Hannon and Debra Way

The Federal government and the Australian Democrats yesterday insisted
students would be better off under the GST as they fought off a barage of
criticism from education unions.

Leading unions joined forces to condem the GST deal sayin it failed
students miserably.  But Education Minister David Kemb and Democrats
education spokes woman Lyn Allison said students would be better off than
ever before.

Democrats Leader Meg Lees added full to the fire by suggesting students
angry about the new tax plan should forget about a new pair of runners or
jeans and go to an Op shop instead.

Senator Lees said "lots of students" buy second hand clothes and they
won't have to pay a GST on used clothing.

But in the tax package its is only donated second hand clothes which will
be exempt.

National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) president Carolyn Allport said
the Democrats had dashed their good record of supporting the education
sector by caving ino the Government's demands.  "The Democrats have gained
respect among those working and studying among those working and studying
in the education sector", Dr Allport said.

"This goodwill and support will be seriously damaged if the Democrats
carry through and vote to support this anti education package".

Australian Education Union president Sharan Burrow accused the two parties
of selling out public education and jeopardising the future of
Australia's children.

"What is most shocking is that the Democrats have always been strong
spporters of public education and we expected that they would fight it
out.

"Instead, GST, costs on books, learning materials, sporting materials,
professional development and transport, along with the burden of
compliance will cripple many schols and parent organisations", Ms Burrows
said.

An Independent Education Union federal secretary Lynne Rolly predicted
taht the Democrats' deal would creat as much unfairness and chaos in
shools as in supermarkets.

But Dr Kemp said the GST would make education more affordable for
Australian families.  "Ther will be no GST on school fees", he told
Parliament.

Senator Allision issued a statement saying the costss of running schools
woul fall and States' revenues would rise under the deal.

"The Democrats would not signed up to a pacakage that is anti education
and education unions hve simply not bothered to consider the full facts."
Senator Allison said.




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