Western Sydney University announces Paul J Keating scholarship

From left Minister Jason Clare, Professor Deborah Sweeney, the Hon Paul J Keating, Eric Sidoti and Professor Phil O'Neil.

Western Sydney University has announced a new scholarship, created to honour the policy reform legacy of former Labor Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Paul J Keating. The scholarship opens up educational opportunities to western Sydney resident students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Growing up in Bankstown, and as a former member for Blaxland, Paul Keating’s western Sydney origins and legacy of socio-economic reform reflect the values of Western Sydney University, which is also home to The Whitlam Institute. The scholarship also serves as a reminder that transformative policy has a nation-defining lineage in western Sydney; one that deserves to be both recognised and supported.

Announcing the new scholarship at the inaugural annual Paul Keating Lecture, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Member for Blaxland, noted the transformative effect of higher education.

“Western Sydney helped make Paul Keating the man he is and I am incredibly grateful that Western Sydney University has chosen to establish this scholarship in his name  helping kids like him from Western Sydney to achieve their dreams and help build a better Australia,” said Mr Clare.

Western Sydney University has long championed equitable access to higher education for the people of western Sydney. Sixty-five per cent of the University’s 48,000 students are the first in their families to attend university, and 26 per cent are from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“With a proud history of opening up higher educational opportunities throughout our region, Western Sydney University is pleased to announce this scholarship, which pays tribute to the Hon Paul Keating’s nation-shaping values,” said Eric Sidoti, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow with the Institute of Culture and Society.

Beginning in 2020, three scholarships worth $10,000 a year over three years will be available annually and be awarded to high-achieving Western Sydney University students who are enrolled in humanities, social studies, psychology or related courses.

ENDS

11 November 2019

Media Unit