By Amanda Day
MELBOURNE — On August 16, a larger than expected contingent of 1000 secondary students rallied against the federal government's proposals to slash education and associated funding in the up-coming budget. Early estimates indicate that 4000 Melbourne students went on strike.
The rally was high spirited, with dozens of energetic speakers holding the crowd's rapt attention. Students from schools including Footscray, University High and Ivanhoe Grammar spoke. Rally chairperson, Matt, from Blackburn High, urged the crowd to fight every attack on education.
Erica Garret, a Resistance member from Sandringham High School, told the crowd that any reduction in Austudy, or payments made directly to parents would prevent many students from studying. She urged students to sign the contact lists and to get involved in the campaign.
Felicity Martin from Melbourne University said that a teacher graduate would have to pay $1500 off their HECS debt in their first year of work, and urged students to strike on August 29, the next national day of action against higher education budget cuts.
The rally was also addressed by speakers from Richmond Secondary College, La Trobe University, the TAFE sector and Militant. All criticised both the Liberals and the ALP, and calls for a new pro-worker, student and environmental left-wing political movement received rapturous applause.
The crowd marched, chanting loudly, to the steps of Parliament House. Banners and placards with slogans such as "Austudy is my buddy, without it I can't study" and "Education for all, not just the rich" dotted the march. Chants of "No ifs, no buts, no fees, no cuts", amongst others, were enthusiastically taken up.
Some authorities, displeased that the rally coincided with the ticker-tape procession for the recently returned Olympians, organised a large police presence. However, the protest was peaceful with one speaker urging the crowd not to respond to police provocation.
The rally voted to take strike action on August 29. A state-wide high school student union is being set up to co-ordinate the actions. Those interested in getting involved should telephone (03) 9329 1320.