Fed: Increased HECS will dumb down the nation: Beattie

AAP General News (Australia)
02-26-2004
Fed: Increased HECS will dumb down the nation: Beattie

By Nikki Todd, State Political Correspondent

BRISBANE, Feb 26 AAP - A decision to increase university fees marked a sad day for
Australia and would dumb down the nation, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said today.

The Queensland University of Technology last night became the first university in the
country to approve the maximum 25 per cent increase in HECS fees for students beginning
studies from next year, as allowed under the federal government's major education reform
package.

The decision was made despite strong protests from …