Image description: Two large banners are held in front of a crowd of people. One banner reads ‘No Cuts / No Fees / No Corporate Universities! / Student Fightback’, and the other says ‘Students Against the / Degree Factory’.
By Stirling Kain
On the 26th of June, UWA and Curtin University students gathered in Forrest Chase to protest recent proposals to increase fees to arts, humanities, and commerce courses.
Organised with the assistance of the UWA Student Guild, the protests are a response specifically to the recent announcements by Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan.
The Minster outlined the up-to 113% price increases, saying they are part of the government’s efforts to shuttle incoming students into “job-relevant” courses. You can read more details about the price hikes here.
Image description: In a group of protestors, one young woman wearing a surgical mask holds a sign, and looks at the camera. The sign says ‘What Chance Have / We Got at Humanity If / Only the Rich Can / Afford an Education’.
Image description: From a high angle, a group of protesters walks along Forrest Chase.
Image description: From a low angle, young people wearing masks hold protest signs. Some read ‘Stop the Liberals / Defend Our Education’, and ‘Policies For the People’.
Image description: Education Council President Emma Mezger speaks into a microphone at Forrest Chase.
Image description: From a high angle, a group of protesters walks down Hay Street.
Image description: Two protestors wearing surgical masks hold protest signs. One reads ‘Stop / The / Cuts’, and the other ‘Cut / HASS? / My / Ass!’.
Image description: Two women protesters standing together in a crowd. One holds a sign which says ‘Art brings / Colour to / Grey Society’.
Image description: Shot from behind, a woman carries a large red flag on her shoulder, and a megaphone in her hand.
Image description: In a group of protesters, one young woman wearing a surgical mask holds a sign, and looks at the camera. The sign says ‘Our / Education / Is Not For / Profit’.
Image description: A young woman looks at the camera, and holds a sign. It reads ‘Without the / humanities / we lose our / humanity’.
Image description: From a low angle, a protester holds a small sign in the air, which reads ‘Fuck / Classicism’.
Image description: UWA Guild President Bre Shanahan wears a surgical mask and looks at the camera, holding a sign. It says ‘Our / Education / Is Not For / Profit’.