The possible privatisation of Higher Education Contribution Scheme debt could see Australia become like the United States, where degrees are unaffordable for many, the National Union of Students says.
Australia's economy has suffered a significant loss of momentum since the start of the year as its transition away from being a mining investment gets bumpy.
Australian stocks started the local session lower as the deadline for the US to raise its debt ceiling or face the possibility of default draws closer.
Australian bond futures prices are higher as traders move into safe-haven assets due to the slow progress in negotiations to raise the US government's borrowing limit.
Humphrey Hale has stepped down as managing director at Wolf Minerals Limited, while former Grange Resources managing director Russell Clark will take over the position effective today.
US stock markets have closed deep in the red as politicians in Washington remained deadlocked over a deal to reopen the government and avoid default on its debts.
Oil prices have fallen as US lawmakers remained deadlocked over a budget and debt ceiling deal and as negotiations began on Iran's nuclear program in Geneva.
It's hard to imagine anyone being unhappy with Andrew and Nicola Forrest's remarkably generous $65 million donation to establish a system of educational scholarships to rival that created by Cecil Rhodes more than 100 years ago.
Providing greater access to training and boosting links with industry will be the focus of a new review of the state's vocational education and training sector.
The Australian share market closed one per cent higher amid signs that politicians in the United States may soon reach a deal over the US budget and debt ceiling.
Global miner Rio Tinto is confident of hitting its 2013 iron ore production target of 265 million tonnes, after achieving further growth in the September quarter.
Mindax says it is a step closer towards developing its Mt Forrest iron ore project on the back of a binding joint venture agreement worth up to $52 million with Hong Kong-based investment company Perpetual Mining Holding.
Government departments and disability business enterprises have signed contracts worth $12 million in the two years since Workpower was charged with improving relations between the sectors.
Divisions within the government over foreign ownership of farmland appear to be deepening, with Labor accusing the coalition of speaking with "two heads" about Chinese investment.
Range Resources says it may no longer proceed with a planned $105 million takeover of International Petroleum in the wake of the oil and gas explorer selling its assets in Russia and Kazakhstan.
MZI Resources says it is in discussions with finance providers following news that one of the two lead arranging banks appointed to provide debt funding for its Keysbrook mineral sands project has withdrawn from the process.
FIFTEEN years after the late Harry Perkins' efforts to create the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research bore fruit, the not-for-profit will take his name in a major rebranding move.
The Australian share market has opened higher after markets in the United States lifted amid encouraging signs that a deal was within reach on the US budget and debt ceiling.
Telstra has defended chief executive David Thodey's $8.8 million pay packet after a shareholder questioned whether the telco's performance justified such a salary.
US stocks reversed losses and finished higher amid encouraging signs from the White House and Congress that a deal is in reach on the budget and debt ceiling.
