Local MP promises more uni places

FEDERAL Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said an elected Labor Federal Government would result in more university places being funded at La Trobe University.

She made the claim at an orientation event at La Trobe University’s local campus last week.

“There were more students that applied for a place than places existed,” Ms Chesters said.

“There’s a group of students who have missed out on a university place because the Federal Government hasn’t funded enough. They tend to be from regional areas.

“If we were in government we’d fund an extra 20,000 places across Australia, and that would give more students, and more Bendigo students an opportunity to study at university.”

According to Ms Chesters, the proportion of applicants who get an offer of a place at university has fallen every year “since the Liberal Government slashed university funding.”

The MP said while enrolments have stayed strong at La Trobe, they could be better, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced more people to consider higher education.

“There are students that have taken a gap year now looking to come to uni,” she said.

“There are also mature ages students, people who might’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic, want a career change or have just decided because of the pandemic they want to retrain.

“These extra places give more mature age students a chance to study.”

Ms Chesters said with Labor Government support La Trobe could also expand its course offerings.

“I welcome them moving psychology to be based here at La Trobe, the more schools and disciplines the better it is out here,” she said.

“We have a strong rural health school here; I’d like to see us as a strong school of education.”