Federal Budget Failing our Universities and our Climate

Australian medical students are disappointed by the lack of Federal investment in climate action and Australian universities.

 

“This Federal Budget fails to recognise that climate change is the largest public health emergency of our time,” Sophie Keen, President of the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA), said today.

 

“There are a multitude of climate change-associated risks to our population’s physical and mental health. Conversely, health benefits have been observed as a result of policies that aim to mitigate climate change.

 

“We were disappointed to see that the Federal Government has ignored all of our recommendations on climate change, including measures that would majorly increase the environmental and economic sustainability of the Australian healthcare sector.

 

“AMSA will continue to call on the Federal Government and Opposition to commit to funding renewable energy, and to support state governments to roll out sustainable energies across public infrastructure.

 

“Further, with the closure of international borders, Australian universities will continue to face significant economic challenges. International student fees account for $10 billion annually, and the loss of this revenue has seen significant cuts made to staffing, services, and student supports. This Federal Budget fails to support tertiary education, which comes at the expense of young Australians.”

 

AMSA provided several recommendations in its Pre-Budget Submission relating to climate change and university funding, including redesigning OS-HELP funding to promote rural medical placements, and initiatives to reduce Australian healthcare’s significant contribution to our overall carbon footprint.

 

AMSA is a signatory on the Healthy Recovery joint statement, calling for health to be at the centre of Australia’s post COVID-19 economic recovery. In 2020, AMSA declared a climate health emergency and has fully divested from fossil fuels.

 

AMSA is the peak representative body for Australia’s 17,000 medical students. AMSA Code Green is a global health project dedicated to climate change and health advocacy.