To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate in the Parliament assembled:

The petition of the undersigned demand the Australian Government honour its commitment to the Higher Education sector as stated in the Liberal and National Parties' Higher Education Policy (February 1996).

We demand the Australian Government honour its promises to:

   maintain Austudy and Abstudy with benefits at real levels

   maintain levels of funding to universities in terms of operating grants

   maintain the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)

   ensure no compulsory up-front fees for undergraduate places

   ensure no cuts in university places.

Your petitioners ask that the Senate oppose any intention by an Australian Government to introduce student fees, increase HECS repayments, abolish Austudy or Abstudy, or cut funding for university places.