Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Hanson-Young, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 August 2009:

An assessment of the adequacy of Government measures to provide equitable access to secondary and post-secondary education opportunities to students from rural and regional communities attending metropolitan institutions, and metropolitan students attending regional universities or technical and further education (TAFE) colleges, with particular reference to:

(a)

the financial impact on rural and regional students who are attending metropolitan secondary schools, universities or TAFE;

(b)

the education alternatives for rural and regional students wanting to study in regional areas;

(c)

the implications of current and proposed government measures on prospective students living in rural and regional areas;

(d)

the short- and long-term impact of current and proposed government policies on regional university and TAFE college enrolments;

(e)

the adequacy of government measures to provide for students who are required to leave home for secondary or post-secondary study;

(f)

the educational needs of rural and regional students;

(g)

the impact of government measures and proposals on rural and regional communities; and

(h)

other related matters.