NTEU Takes SAVE VCA to Canberra
Posted by savevca1 on June 14th, 2010
If Gillard & Garrett wont come to us, we’ll go to them! The National Tertiary Education Union is firing up a bus for 30 VCA Staff, Students & Alumni to travel to Canberra to shake the tin for VCA on June 22. It’s probably the last sitting week before this year’s Federal election so we want the Rudd Government to commit to VCA’s independence being returned and more sustainable funding through the Arts Ministry .
Register your spot on the bus here.
If you currently live in Canberra (and don’t need transport/accommodation), email the NTEU to let them know you’re coming. We’d love to see you!
The spirit of the Canberra trip is less protest, more talkfest – a chance for students, staff and graduates to tell pollies direct what’s going wrong at VCA, how that will affect the arts economy and why we need their help to SAVE VCA!
Considering the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday NIDA has been supplied another $4m of Federal funding (and they want more!), surely VCA’s modest funding requirements can be addressed. So get your cheque book ready Julia & Peter!
“Federal Ministers Julia Gillard and Peter Garrett can solve the crisis in the VCAM by committing to fund the College at a similar rate to other elite arts training institutes,” said Matthew McGowan, Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union Victorian Division.
“The training that goes on today is the best in Australia, but staff are increasingly struggling under continuing cutbacks. Should the calibre of the VCA’s contribution to the arts industry be allowed to decline, there is a serious risk to Australia’s creative economy,” Mr McGowan said.
“It is time for the finger-pointing between State and Federal Governments to end, and for Julia Gillard, Peter Garrett and Victorian Arts Minister Peter Batchelor to take ownership of this funding crisis to stop ongoing damage to the Faculty,” he said.
UPDATE POST CANBERRA TRIP:
- Noel Turnbull’s report on the SAVE VCA trip to Canberra. Noel is the former Chair of the VCA Advisory Board (who resigned in protest last year along with Lynne Landy). Noel is also the former President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
OTHER RECENT NEWS:
- The Age reports a skills shortage in the Victorian Film & TV sector (sure to get worse unless VCA Film & TV’s underfunding and poor Uni Melb management isnt addressed!).
- Inside Film express the Film’s industry’s concern over University Management of VCA
- NTEU provide new forum for VCAM staff to submit anonymous feedback
By all means use union pressure on the Federal Labour Government but don’t forget the alternative government in waiting and other influential members & senators.