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National Day of Action
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Wednesday 31st March, 1 PM

That's right comrades and cobbers, the National Day of Action, organised by the peak student union, National Union of Students, is taking place this Wednesday.

This NDA is a nation-wide protest against the regressive changes being forced upon universities across Australia. Among the changes include an increase in HECS fees by 25%, and an increase in the number of full-fee paying positions (which means money, not merit determins who goes to uni). It is important that the ALP Club be visible at the NDA to express the opinion that the only way that these regressive changes to university will be defeated and repealed is through the election of a Federal Labor Government. The Labor Party has committed (at its National Conference) to rolling back the HECS increases, abolishing full-fee paying places, and confirming support for universal public tertiary education for all Australians.

At Melbourne Uni there will be an initial demonstration on the Concrete Lawns (out the front of Union House), where all the members of the ALP Club will gather. There will be speeches by members of the Education Action Group (a collective made up of the various progressive and left groups on campus, including the ALP Club) and by anyone else who wishes to speak. From the Melb Uni Campus, we will then be marching down Swanston St. to get to the Victorian State Library by 2PM.

The State Library is where university students from around Melbourne and Victoria will congregate to express our opposition to the damaging regressions being imposed on universities. We will hear from education activists from around the state, including speakers from NUS. Once the speeches are finished, the gathered students will go on another march. Unfortunately I don't know precisely where, but it may be Melbourne Uni Private, Parliament House or Federation Square (don't quote me on this though).

I look forward to seeing all of you there.