The Australian Association of Writing Programs

Here is a link to a Brisbane Times article (subsequent to yesterdays comments in the HES) responding to Postgraduate allowances being delayed by DEEWR for twelve months. The CAPA president, Mr John Nowakowski has also been interviewed on this crucial matter by radio 3RRR, and the Financial Review.

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/govt-rejects-key-youth-allowance-change-20110914-1k9ey.html

It would be good if you can all let your fellow coursework students know the current state of play. Also we at CAPA are not forgetting the work for reasonable remunneration for our HDR scholars also. The National survey is currently being disseminated via the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies and YES we know that it is incredibly detailed and time consuming, but in order to get Federal Ministers able to argue for adequate money in HE budget and then be able to target this money to PGrad needs is a tough ask, with a parliament reliant on Independents and minior party support for any legislation, and the pressure to maintain a surplus in the coming electoral cycle.

It is a sad fact that we are competing for funding with mental health, science research, hospitals, schools, public transport and the like but that is the nature of Australian democracy where there is never enough tax revenue to meet all demands. As HDRs in CHASS dicsiplines we need to understand and become adept at 'real politic'. Rest assured that I as your representative on Policy at CAPA and subsequently in Canberra am doing my best for all postgrads and particularly our discipline fields.

Thanks and please ensure you are subscribed to the CAPA postgrad link on the home website to keep abreast of our activism and lobbying on your behalf. We are not a union so we sit at the table with Departmental staff as equals rather than adversaries.