The Wire

Education Minister Brendan Nelson this week announced the Federal Government’s plans to abolish compulsory student union fees. Many community radio stations around Australia are attached to universities and a lot of their funding is being threatened as a result. Tune FM in Armidale, New South Wales, is heavily funded by the student’s union at the University of New England. Andrew Devenish-Meares from Tune FM says the legislation would be disastrous for the station. But he’s hopeful that the University will bail them out as the station provides training opportunies for students.