18/11/2020
ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
GED KEARNEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SKILLS
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR AGED CARE
MEMBER FOR COOPER
PETER KHALIL MP
MEMBER FOR WILLS
MARIA VAMVAKINOU MP
MEMBER FOR CALWELL
Federal Labor is deeply disappointed that the Greek Studies program at LaTrobe University will end after 38 years.
This decision to cut funding to lanaguage program is a direct result of cuts by the Morrison Government to properly support universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facing financial pressure, La Trobe University has flagged cutting dozens of liberal arts and language subjects including Greek Studies, Hindi and Indonesian. The University has already cut jobs and they expect to cut more jobs.
The Morrison Government’s failure means that institutions like La Trobe are being forced to gut their courses, cut jobs and leave students with fewer choices.
Language forms a crucial part of culture and identity.
By cutting funding to the Greek language program the Morrison Government is sending a message that they don’t value the Greek language.
Our multicultural nation is made stronger when second and third generation Australians have the full opportunity to remain strongly connected to their language and culture.
La Trobe’s Greek Studies program is key to this because it is the only comprehensive program that enables students to study Greek language and culture at a tertiary level, from beginners’ level to PhD.
Australia has one of the largest Greek diaspora communities in the world and any understanding of modern Australia must include an understanding of all the cultures that have shaped it. If this program is discontinued, students, no matter their background, will be denied that opportunity and as a society we will be poorer for it.
We call on La Trobe University to reconsider this decision and to continue its Greeks Studies program.
We call on the Morrison Government to reverse these unfair cuts to our universities.
WEDNESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
LACHLAN POULTER (GILES) 0423 937 655
KATERINE THEODOSIS (KHALIL) 0432 243 569