When government makes opportunities for any of the citizens, it makes them for all the citizens. Making tertiary education free has broad benefits for Australian society and the Australian economy. Graduates earn more over their lifetimes, pay more tax, and are less likely to rely on public services [Department of Education, OECD]. These benefits accrue to the whole community, not just the individual who receives the degree. Making university free would make graduates more willing to retrain, change industries, or move to where skills are needed most. This flexibility matters in an economy facing rapid technological change and skills shortages. Free education further reduces barriers to entry for capable students from low and middle income backgrounds. When access to education is based on ability rather than willingness to take on debt, talent is better matched to opportunity.
Free TAFE Free Uni is here. We will be on the ballot paper in Victoria. Once registered, our goal is to register federally, and then in every other state and territory. Right now, the binding constraint is numbers. To register federally, we need a minimum number of members. Every person who joins moves us closer to that threshold. The most direct way to help at this stage is simply to join the party using the form at the top of the page. Becoming a member is free, you just need to share your details so we can confirm that you are enrolled to vote.
So far, this has been run on a very shoestring budget. Total costs to date are under $200, covering a table, paper forms, and clipboards. The next costs are unavoidable. Candidate nomination fees are $350 per candidate, and as we’re planning to field 88 candidates in the lower house and 40 in the upper house, we’ll need to raise $44,800 by November. If you are able to contribute, even if it's a few dollars, it makes a real difference. If not, no worries.
We’re in the process of getting our bank account and donation system set up, so in the meantime if you would like to donate please fill out the Google Form using the button below, and we’ll reach back out to you once our systems are set up.
Right now we’re run entirely by volunteers! Over the coming months we will be running sausage sizzles and volunteer stalls, and during elections we will need people to hand out how to vote cards and help with basic logistics. Even an hour here or there is useful, there is no expectation of ongoing commitment. Letting us know you are open to helping if your schedule allows is enough (you’ll also get invites to socials with free pizza).
Finally, we are accepting expressions of interest for those who want to fight to make education free by standing for parliament. We will review the applications and make decisions about candidates in July.
