GED KEARNEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING
MEMBER FOR COOPER

LISA CHESTERS MP
MEMBER FOR BENDIGO

MPs representing the locations of two La Trobe University campuses, Bendigo and Cooper, are calling on the University to reconsider staff losses and demanding the Federal Government step in to save jobs and courses.

Highly qualified staff are being forced into academic ‘hunger games’ under the Morrison government, with University staff being forced to fight it out for jobs. 

This is a direct result of the Morrison Government’s refusal to put proper supports in place for Australian universities.

They were refused JobKeeper and there has been a policy vacuum since, with around 30,000 jobs going from the sector.

La Trobe campuses in Bundoora, Bendigo and Albury/Wodonga have been forced to make cuts which have decimated entire faculties. Of particular concern is the humanities department where positions have been laid bare. Staff are fearing for their jobs after the recent announcement that 200 more positions will go.

Ms Chesters, Member for Bendigo says that the people losing jobs are the professional and support staff who keep our universities running and support the next generation of students. These staff create the culture for on-campus learning that students deserve and expect. Our regional La Trobe University campuses are vital to regional Victoria’s pandemic recovery and economic future and the Morrison government just doesn’t seem to get that. 

Ms Kearney, Member for Cooper says that job losses at a time like this are diabolical for the economy and for communities. The university is a major employer and so many smaller businesses rely on the university. The impacts of these job losses are felt keenly across the board.

Without the Government stepping in to save these jobs quality outcomes will suffer, students will suffer and we will all be the worse for it.