Howard thanks independents for reaching deal on higher education

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
Howard thanks independents for reaching deal on higher education

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says he's delighted the government's higher education changes
are set to pass through the Senate.

A deal was reached between the government and four key independent senators last night
over the package, which has guaranteed passage of the bill.

Mr HOWARD -- who's in Nigeria for a Commonwealth meeting -- has thanked the four senators
for their discussions.

He says that's in contrast to the Labor party who -- under new leader MARK LATHAM --
refused to enter into any kind of discussion.





The higher education package will deliver to universities more than 34,000 fully-funded
HECS places and $2.4 billion over the next five years.

The package will also lift the repayment threshold at which students begin to repay
their HECS to $35,000.

However it will also allow universities to hike fees by up to 25 per cent above HECS rates.

AAP RTV rca/rt

KEYWORD: UNIVERSITIES HOWARD (ABUJA) WITH AUDIO

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