Guild fights for longer JET

by Meena Lakshana

April 14, 2008

A CAMPAIGN to reinstate the JET Childcare Subsidy for a longer duration has been launched by Murdoch University’s student guild.

The subsidy had been offered by the federal government to provide cheaper childcare services throughout the length of a degree for parents pursuing tertiary education. However, in its dying months, the Howard government cut the subsidy to less than a year.

“It is bad for parents living below the poverty line and trying to get a degree,” guild president Clare Middlemas said. “The subsidy doesn’t even cover a year of study.”

Recently, the Rudd Labor government re-lengthened the duration to two years. However, the guild is campaigning to lengthen the duration further.