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Protesters win concessions

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Students this week emerged tired and grubby but jubilant from a Melbourne university's finance department, three weeks after storming and occupying it.

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They were supplied with baskets of food pulled on ropes to their third-floor stronghold from their 'control centre' - a tent complete with sound-system and armchairs - in the street below.

Police surrounded the building while the protesters reiterated their demands at regular media conferences and through megaphone broadcasts.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) students were demonstrating against plans to make Australians pay the full fees for university courses.

Opponents say the fees will lead to an education system for the rich and lower educational standards.

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Currently, degrees for Australians are heavily subsidised, while overseas students pay the full cost.

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