Universities Australia | 25 July 2013
Universities Australia along with 15 other members of the #ScrapTheCap Alliance, have met with the shadow minister for education, Christopher Pyne about the proposed $2000 cap on tax deductions for self-education expenses, announced by former Treasurer Wayne Swan in April.
Following the meeting, where all groups expressed strong opposition to the measure, Pyne issued a statement calling on the government to `Scrap the Cap.’
Belinda Robinson, Chief Executive of Universities Australia said after the meeting that Pyne’s comments are an acknowledgement of the adverse impact the measure will have on the economy and the community.
The #ScrapTheCap Alliance now comprises close to 70 professional groups representing a wide cross section of the economy including higher and vocational education, nurses, allied health and the medical profession, law, architecture, teaching, conferencing and events, engineers, vets, pharmacists, and small business have come together to form. The Alliance has now tripled in size following its formation after a meeting hosted by Universities Australia earlier this month.
Robinson said
Few issues have galvanised as many groups representing such a large slice of the economy, as has this proposed tax on learning, innovation, aspiration, and productivity. This is because it is in direct contradiction to the Government’s intention to boost productivity and build a smarter Australia which is part of the rapidly expanding global knowledge economy.
Modelling released by Universities Australia this week shows that the measure could result in a 30% drop in post-graduate enrolments in response to an effective 30-54% increase in post graduate course fees. The modelling also suggests the measure will result in a drop in national productivity by at least $2.8 billion and reduce the tax revenue by up to $840 million annually.
See
Scrap the cap – UA
