Peak professional bodies representing everyone from engineers and vets to architects, doctors, lawyers and pharmacists will meet in Canberra on Monday to ramp up pressure on the federal government to ditch its planned changes to tax deductions for self-education.
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The return of Kevin Rudd to the prime ministership and the appointment of Higher Education Minister Kim Carr and Treasurer Chris Bowen have given professional bodies hope of a policy rethink, with Senator Carr conducting an intensive fortnight of consultation with the tertiary sector about budget priorities.
This week, the ''Scrap the Cap'' campaign will hit overdrive, with a petition initiated by General Practice Registrars Australia garnering more than 9000 signatures.
The cap is proposed to begin in July next year, with the aim of saving $514.3 million over the next four years to help fund the Gonski education reforms.
There has historically been no limit on deductions for self-education expenses but the new proposal will limit to $2000 any tax deductions for all types of professional courses and training.
Accountant and tax groups reignited their public opposition to the cap on expenses last week. This week, almost all of the major professional groups are expected to come together to lobby for a policy reversal on the basis it will impact on Australia's professional competitiveness and skills set.
Universities Australia is marshalling groups in Canberra on Monday, including the Australian Computer Society, Australian Dental Association, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Medical Association, Australian Nursing Federation, Engineers Australia and Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
A communique signed by the 22 groups says: ''The government has not made the case for change and it has ignored the importance of self-education and mandatory continuing professional development for the safety and quality of services in key sectors such as healthcare delivery.''
Senator Carr said on Sunday: ''I have made clear my intentions to engage widely with the higher education sector. My door is open for them to raise any issues and put forward any proposals - provided they are budget-neutral.
''Any changes to current policy will need to be tested through proper cabinet processes … we must work within the constraints of the current budget.''
The Australian Workforce Productivity Agency has warned that industry demand for those with higher education qualifications is set to soar, with growth rates of between 3 per cent and 4 per cent every year to 2025. The agency found that every extra dollar invested in tertiary education expanded the economy by $26 and tax revenues by $8.
