Newcastle students organise
By Alex Bainbridge
NEWCASTLE — Student activists have organised two important actions in the last few weeks. Around 1000 people came along to "The Big Noise" — a political concert and festival — on August 10. This was followed by a university-based action on August 14.
The Big Noise included speakers on a range of educational and social justice issues. John Nolan-Neylan argued that the concept of free education had to be defended. "It's a question of what sort of society we want to live in", he said. Other speakers covered issues including child-care and environmental destruction.
Under the banner of "Students condemned: Education on trial", a mock Amanda Vanstone condemned students to the "poverty trap" for being single parents, under 25 years old, Aboriginal and similar crimes at the August 14 event.
The events were held to encourage students to join the bus of activists going to the Sydney rally in Parramatta on August 19 as part of a national week of action against fees, the Common Youth Allowance, and cuts to Abstudy and education funding.