Education minister Chris Pyne won’t give up on fee deregulation.

Despite overwhelming opposition from students, staff and the public, he remains fiercely committed to allowing universities to control the cost of education.

He also wants to cut government funding by 20 percent.

The impact of these two measures would be to slug students twice. The cost of education would increase (the notorious $100,000 degrees), and we would be forced to pay a much higher proportion of the fees.

Students have protested against this attack since it was announced in the Abbott government’s first budget. We organised the biggest student protests in a decade and repeatedly forced Pyne, Tony Abbott and deputy PM Julie Bishop to scamper off our campuses like rats.

Our campaign saw Pyne’s bill defeated in parliament last year. His disappointment turned to humiliation when it was voted down for a second time earlier this year.

Students need to prepare to ramp up the fight once again because our opponent is not down for the count.

In general, the Abbott government has shown it has no intention of backing away from sweeping attacks on healthcare, welfare and education. It has already passed many measures from the 2014 budget. Pyne has vowed to move his bill again, possibly as early as August.

He is one of the more wild-eyed members of the government. When interviewed on Nine News the day the bill was defeated for a second time he said: “I never give up. No I will not give up. It’s too important. You couldn’t kill me with an axe … I’ll keep coming back”.

Pyne’s statement is not (just) the raving of a conservative ideologue. Similar attacks on higher education are being carried out the world over.

In Australia, the university system is already one of top four export industries. But for the Australian ruling class this is not good enough. The ultimate aim is for a US-style education system.

The recently-released documentary Ivory Tower explains that US college tuition costs have increased more than any other good or service over the last decade. Student debt stands at $1 trillion. Meanwhile universities have been turning multi-billion dollar profits.

Fee deregulation would allow for a similar development in Australia.

Some of Pyne’s biggest cheerleaders have been the vice chancellors, especially those at the wealthiest universities. They want universities to be able to make super profits by charging students more and having more flexibility over what they invest in and what they cut.

In the meantime, they have been getting a head start by introducing “restructuring” initiatives.

Sydney University is currently in the process of a restructure that will involve cutting hundreds of jobs and degrees. Vice chancellor Michael Spence has explained that, though these changes may be “traumatic” for some, they are necessary for the university to remain “competitive”.

Similar attacks have taken place at Melbourne University, the University of Western Australia, and La Trobe and Adelaide universities. There are signs that many other universities want to do the same.

It is up to students to defend ourselves against this agenda. The National Union of Students has called a national day of protest for 19 August.

The fact that we have seen Pyne’s bill defeated twice is proof that our campaign has had an impact. But given the determination of the government, our vice chancellors and the entire business class, we need to once again make our voices heard.

Get in touch with your student union or education action group for details of the protest in your city.