Latest news with #Shorten
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Scaring off poor students': HECS relief welcome, but high fees have become a barrier
While Shorten said he respected every tertiary institution's contribution, he said the University of Canberra, Western Sydney University and Edith Cowan were key in the government's goal to get more students from poor backgrounds into universities. 'We're doing the unglamorous heavy lifting of higher education, which is getting people into higher ed who might not have always attended higher ed. Loading 'If I can be really direct, Gen Zs and Millennials and people thinking about coming to uni, they don't want to be going to some sort of educational sausage factory where they're just churned, where they just seem to be interested in the dollars generated from international students to build more prestigious glass buildings. So that's part of it. That's how you get people in.' When it came to reducing fees, other former Labor politicians including Peter Garrett, Barry Jones and Gareth Evans publicly rebuked the government last week, over its failure to fix the $50,000 cost of humanities degrees, in an open letter to the Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association. It noted that prestigious research-intensive universities had maintained strong course enrolments while other institutions were suffering. 'Enrolments for many humanities and social science units at other universities – those often favoured by Indigenous, regional and female students – are falling,' the letter said. At Western Sydney University, the number of commencing students from low socioeconomic backgrounds fell by 1000 students in the year after the Job-ready Graduates program was introduced. WSU vice chancellor George Williams said the steep price tag had scared off poor students who feared they would never pay off the high debt. 'It does work as a price signal to price people out of university … It's unfair, and it really restricts social mobility,' he said. Williams noted that the government had spent $20 billion on debt relief, but said that failing to reform fees was 'setting ourselves up just to have to do debt relief again down the track'. University of NSW student Norman Huang, a final-year student in commerce and computer science, welcomed the 20 per cent cut to student loans. 'For most students, it is a relief both mentally and financially,' he said. 'A lot of students are starting to think more long-term with their careers and personal goals.' Sydney University deputy vice chancellor (education) Professor Joanne Wright said unwinding the Job-ready Graduates program 'can't happen quickly enough'. 'We're looking forward to working with the incoming Australian Tertiary Education Commission and helping to address these complex issues,' she said. A Macquarie University spokesman said it supported a review of higher education funding arrangements to ensure more 'Australian students can access university, offers equitable support across all disciplines, and does not unfairly penalise students for the choices they make'.
The Age
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Scaring off poor students': HECS relief welcome, but high fees have become a barrier
While Shorten said he respected every tertiary institution's contribution, he said the University of Canberra, Western Sydney University and Edith Cowan were key in the government's goal to get more students from poor backgrounds into universities. 'We're doing the unglamorous heavy lifting of higher education, which is getting people into higher ed who might not have always attended higher ed. Loading 'If I can be really direct, Gen Zs and Millennials and people thinking about coming to uni, they don't want to be going to some sort of educational sausage factory where they're just churned, where they just seem to be interested in the dollars generated from international students to build more prestigious glass buildings. So that's part of it. That's how you get people in.' When it came to reducing fees, other former Labor politicians including Peter Garrett, Barry Jones and Gareth Evans publicly rebuked the government last week, over its failure to fix the $50,000 cost of humanities degrees, in an open letter to the Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association. It noted that prestigious research-intensive universities had maintained strong course enrolments while other institutions were suffering. 'Enrolments for many humanities and social science units at other universities – those often favoured by Indigenous, regional and female students – are falling,' the letter said. At Western Sydney University, the number of commencing students from low socioeconomic backgrounds fell by 1000 students in the year after the Job-ready Graduates program was introduced. WSU vice chancellor George Williams said the steep price tag had scared off poor students who feared they would never pay off the high debt. 'It does work as a price signal to price people out of university … It's unfair, and it really restricts social mobility,' he said. Williams noted that the government had spent $20 billion on debt relief, but said that failing to reform fees was 'setting ourselves up just to have to do debt relief again down the track'. University of NSW student Norman Huang, a final-year student in commerce and computer science, welcomed the 20 per cent cut to student loans. 'For most students, it is a relief both mentally and financially,' he said. 'A lot of students are starting to think more long-term with their careers and personal goals.' Sydney University deputy vice chancellor (education) Professor Joanne Wright said unwinding the Job-ready Graduates program 'can't happen quickly enough'. 'We're looking forward to working with the incoming Australian Tertiary Education Commission and helping to address these complex issues,' she said. A Macquarie University spokesman said it supported a review of higher education funding arrangements to ensure more 'Australian students can access university, offers equitable support across all disciplines, and does not unfairly penalise students for the choices they make'.
Sky News AU
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Not going to tolerate' antisemitism: Bill Shorten outlines university's plan to combat ‘hate' following envoy report
University of Canberra's Vice-Chancellor and former Labor leader Bill Shorten has outlined the universities' plan to combat antisemitism on camps, saying 'we're not going to tolerate people being treated badly' due to their Jewish heritage. Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal handed down a major report on Thursday, just one year after the business executive was appointed to the role. Ms Segal ordered university chancellors and vice-chancellors to cooperate with her plan to stamp out antisemitism on campuses, or risk funding cuts. Following the recommendations announcement, Mr Shorten said he thought it was important to promptly take a stance on the matter, as 'Antisemitism is real'. 'It's not a creation of the right wing or Israel lobbyists, antisemitism is real. It's a centuries-old hate, and we thought it was all in the history books but now it's come out of the drains,' Mr Shorten told Sky News on Friday. In light of incidents such the alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue last week, Mr Shorten said antisemitism needs to 'be called out' 'And Jewish Australians have got to know... we're not going to tolerate people being treated badly because they're Jewish,' he said. Pressed as to whether the University of Canberra will be implementing the special envoy's recommendations, the vice-chancellor said it will work with other universities and will ensure the safety of students with Jewish heritage on campus. 'I do not want people coming from outside the campus causing grief, and Australians of Jewish heritage have got to feel that when they come to the University of Canberra, this is a place where they can study, learn, be treated with respect,' Mr Shorten said. '... UC wants students of all faith, including kids of Jewish heritage.' Ms Segal's report outlines a series of measures needed in order to combat antisemitism, which it claimed had 'reached a tipping point that threatens social harmony, undermines trust in institutions and marginalises Jewish Australian citizens'. Ms Segal told Sky News host Sharri Markson on Thursday that she planned to delegate work for 'different parties', especially the federal and state government, and educational and cultural institutions. 'There's support I will need from the federal government, but also from state governments, also from leaders in society, leaders of cultural institutions, chancellors and vice-chancellors at universities,' Ms Segal said. 'I will be putting them to the task of supporting me when I need federal government support, but equally I'll be looking to state governments to support educational initiatives. 'I'll looking to universities to continue what has been very cooperative stance from them in moving towards initiatives to combat antisemitism on campuses.'
Sky News AU
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
From PM-in-waiting to dog-patting VC: Bill Shorten roasted for ‘cringe' social media video while in $860,000 uni boss job
Former Labor leader turned university boss Bill Shorten has been savaged online for posting a bizarre social media video described by viewers as 'cringe' and 'slop'. The video has prompted debate about his lucrative $860,000 per year salary and the state of university leadership amid massive job cuts. The failed Labor leader was once on track to become prime minister before it all fell apart at the 2019 election in dramatic fashion when he proposed massive changes to negative gearing and franking credits. But nowadays, Bill Shorten has retired from politics into a cushy Vice Chancellor position at University of Canberra worth $860,000, at the same time the institution cuts more than 150 staff. While those academics pack up their desks, Mr Shorten is posting quirky social media videos to his personal Instagram. In the video, Mr Shorten can be seen awkwardly patting a dog while two young girls run around him in circles and dance in sped-up footage reminiscent of 'Benny Hill'. The scene, presumably intended to be light-hearted, was quickly met with ridicule online. 'Shorten's salary is reported as $860k per year and you serve this cringe slop,' one user said in response. 'A million bucks a year as VC for this?' another said. 'Reminder he's getting paid $860,000 a year while your HECS debts are insanely high, oh and by the way he also got his degree for free too. 'My HECS is paying Bill to run delegate numbers.' The backlash has amplified ongoing criticism of Mr Shorten's ascension to the University of Canberra's top job. His appointment to Vice Chancellor, without professional academic experience, doubled his salary from the $404,000 he earned as a frontbencher in the Albanese government. The $860,000 package includes superannuation and benefits. Meanwhile, the university has saved about $30 million by letting go of 150 staff.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Latest casualties of the cost of living crisis: Rover and Mittens
Shannon Shorten and her family have spent more than $8,000 in emergency vet visits for their 12-year-old cat Rolo — and she's not sure if they can afford yet another expensive procedure amid the current economic climate. Torontonian Shorten, 52, and her husband adopted Rolo and his brother, Toffee, both orange tabbies, more than a decade ago at a cat rescue. 'I am a redhead, my two boys are redheads, so we needed an orange cat,' she said. Having grown up with outdoor cats who required frequent vet visits, she initially believed she might be able to save on these costs since Rolo and Toffee are both indoor cats. But Rolo ended up having pica, the compulsive urge to eat inedible items. He took a liking to Styrofoam and the stuffing inside toys, leading to a blockage in his digestive tract and his first surgery in 2021. The tests and the surgery (which resulted in Rolo getting 18 staples) set Shorten and her husband back at least $4,000. A year later, Rolo's bad eating habits hurt him again. Shorten said they opted for a minimally invasive procedure this time to save Rolo some of the pain and trauma, but it meant an additional $4,000 out of their pockets. 'We always have that fear because he has a heart murmur too: Will he even survive (another) surgery?' Shorten said. She and her husband also aren't sure if they can afford another emergency vet visit that would cost them thousands of dollars, on top of other financial responsibilities such as meeting their mortgage payments and caring for their children. They are among a growing number of Canadians grappling with the rising cost of animal care, resulting in skipped vet visits and even pet abandonment. Half of pet owners have not brought their pets to the veterinarian for care within the past year or have declined previous recommended care, according to research from Gallup, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada. The majority of those that have skipped or declined care (67 per cent) said this was due to financial reasons, such as not being able to afford care or not believing the care was worth the cost. Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, executive member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), based in St John's, N.L., said cost has always been an issue deterring some Canadians from accessing veterinary care for their pets. But she has noticed a shift in the past year or so, with pet owners making fewer appointments and the topic of money emerging more often in decisions to postpone veterinary care. The cost factor is twofold, she said. 'Everything is becoming more expensive, and so everyone has less to spend on their pets,' Brown-Bury said. 'At the same time, veterinary clinics are staffed with people who are facing those same increases, so we're trying to make sure that we're paying our staff a living wage, which means the cost of labour is going up, and then the cost of our supplies is going up, and so the cost of our services have to therefore also go up.' Shorten, who is self-employed, said the ongoing trade war has taken a major hit to her baby products business, BabyJack Products Inc., resulting in supply issues, fluctuating sales and unstable income. She avoids taking the cats to the vet for routine checkups unless it's necessary. 'To figure out what's wrong with a cat, you start with the basics, so they'll do blood work, and then, all of a sudden, it's an x-ray, and then maybe it's an ultrasound,' she said. 'The bill just rises so quickly with pets.' A March report from found veterinary service costs have surged, with office visits, preventive care and vaccinations increasing by up to 50 per cent for dogs and 25 per cent for cats last year. This appears to be an ongoing trend: A 2023 CVMA report indicated that households spent a total of $9.3 billion on veterinary and other services for pets in 2022, more than double the $4 billion spent in 2019. Sophie (whose surname has been withheld to protect her privacy) said she and her partner spend nearly $4,000 in veterinary bills for their two dogs every year. Diego, a pure-bred American Staffordshire Terrier with a pair of perpetually upturned ears, is a gentle 13-year-old senior, while Murphy is an energetic six-year-old rescue mutt. They feature on Sophie's pet social media account, @murphspaldiego. Sophie, who is in her thirties, works in the information technology sector and lives on Vancouver Island, B.C. She began posting content about her pets in the beginning of 2024 but started a new series this year in which she documents the monthly costs of pet care. 'I thought it was good to show how (these costs) fluctuate so much, like none of those numbers are ever remotely the same any month,' she said, noting that emergency vet bills can boost expenses significantly. Diego, for example, requires a monthly injection for his arthritis, which has gone up from about $107 to $126 a month since he started taking it. But he has also undergone four surgeries in his lifetime to have melanomas removed, which set Sophie and her partner back thousands of dollars. As a dual-income household with no children, the couple has the leeway to afford veterinary care, so far. Sophie said she and her partner have started stashing about $100 a month into an emergency savings account in case of these surprise expenses. But others struggle to afford the cost of caring for their animals. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society told Financial Post it is seeing a 16 per cent increase in the number of animals entering its care for re-homing year-over-year across the province. PetSmart Charities of Canada president Aimee Gilbreath said advancements in veterinary care result in more potential for pets to recover from illness or injury and to live longer, but noted many of these treatments and procedures are expensive. 'Unlike human healthcare, those are not subsidized by the government or by your employer,' Gilbreath said. 'You have to pay the full cost.' The veterinary care most often declined included diagnostic procedures such as blood tests and preventive care such as annual check-ups and vaccinations, according to the CVMA report. However, some respondents also said they had forgone recommended medications and declined elective and even life-saving surgeries for their pets. 'The most significant consequence to people hesitating to spend the money is what could have been a small problem becomes a bigger problem, which unfortunately also can mean a more expensive problem — or in the worst-case scenario, a problem that we can no longer fix,' said Brown-Bury. 'There has been an increase in people giving up their pets … and people opting for humane euthanasia (to ensure their pet is not suffering) when there may have been a treatment option that they can't afford to pursue.' Chantelle Archambault, communications director at the Vancouver Humane Society, said its McVitie program, which provides emergency funding for life-saving veterinary care for pets in low-income households across B.C., has ballooned from less than 200 applications in 2020 to about 1,600 in 2024. 'This year, we have already processed more than 900 applications,' Archambault said in an email, noting more people are struggling to afford veterinary care as the cost of living has gone up. 'Increasingly, applicants … mention that their rent alone is nearly the same as their full monthly income,' she added. 'Many applicants report having only $100 to $200 per month left for food for themselves, their pet and other necessities.' Christine Van Tol, 54, is a two-time recipient of this funding for her three-year-old orange cat, Milo, who has been prone to developing urinary tract blockages. Van Tol, who has multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune issues and relies on disability paychecks to make ends meet, said she had not intended on adopting another cat when she already had one and was grappling with much higher rent payments. However, after rescuing the scrawny kitten and being unable to find him a home, Van Tol decided to keep Milo, who developed a special bond with her other cat, Leia. Unfortunately, Leia underwent kidney failure a year later and Van Tol made the difficult decision to opt for humane euthanasia at the vet, scrounging up $800 from birthday money and her income tax refund to cover all the costs. But when Milo had a urinary tract infection that took a sudden turn for the worse, Van Tol could not afford an expensive surgery so soon after paying for Leia's veterinary care. She went to three different clinics until she found out about financial aid through the McVitie program. She received $500 through the program and managed to raise the remaining $1,200 she needed through GoFundMe within two days. However, 10 months later, Milo was suffering from yet another blockage. Van Tol knew she had to either end his suffering or try one last procedure: a $3,500 perineal urethrostomy (PU) to surgically open the urethra. Luckily, she was able to get funds from the McVitie program and GoFundMe again to get the procedure, done this year. I sacrificed everything ... I wasn't ready to say goodbye Christine Van Tol 'I sacrificed everything,' she said. 'I wasn't ready to say goodbye.' Milo is faring much better today, though Van Tol still has him on a special diet. While pet insurance can save owners money, this can cost pet owners anywhere from $120 to $1,200 or more per year, according to It is also much easier to get coverage for a pet in the early stages of its life, with few providers willing to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Gilbreath advised pet owners to be open and transparent about their financial circumstances with their veterinarians. She suggested asking about payment plans and grants, creating a rainy day fund and searching for clinics with lower cost options. High cost of living forcing Canadians to make concessions on auto theft prevention Tariffs causing rising uncertainty in Canadian businesses: StatCan 'The reality is that the magnitude of the problem in Canada alone is billions of dollars a year,' Gilbreath said. 'Addressing this is going to really require all of the facets of the industry to come together.' • Email: slouis@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
