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Federal Education Minister Jason Clare . Picture : Gary Ramage / NewsWire .
A fresh start
Australia ’ s Universities Accord underway .
By Emilie Lauer
Labor ’ s newly-announced Universities Accord will tackle equity , accessibility and casualisation in the nation ’ s first major review of higher education policy since 2008 .
In mid-November , Education Minister Jason Clare announced details into the review , saying it will be the sector ’ s largest inquiry since the Bradley Review 15 years ago .
The Accord will review all aspects of Australia ’ s tertiary system , including funding , access , affordability , transparency , regulation , and employment conditions .
Clare said the review will be a “ big piece of work ” but presents an opportunity to make “ real long-lasting change .”
“ I want this to be something that inspires us – and outlasts us ,” Clare said in a speech at the University of Sydney .
“ I want the Accord to answer the tough questions , I want new ideas and I want to do this together .”
The Universities Accord panel will be led by former NSW chief scientist and University of Adelaide vice-chancellor Mary O ’ Kane .
Clare said the panel will help to set the course of tertiary education for the coming decades .
“ Professor O ’ Kane will lead a team bringing together enormous experience , in our universities , in business and public policy ,” he said .
The Accord will aim to make tertiary education more accessible to all Australian ’ s , including people from low socio-economic backgrounds , people living with disability and First Nations Australian ’ s .
The panel will also identify better ways for higher education and vocational education to collaborate to build a more cohesive tertiary education system .
Additionally , Clare asked the panel experts to review the controversial Jobs-Ready Graduate scheme implemented by the Morrison government during the pandemic .
The university research funding system and overall governance will also be scrutinized , including the impact of Covid-19 on universities and international students .
The education minister also announced the creation of a Ministerial Reference Group which he will chair .
The reference group composed of staff , students , peak bodies , industry groups , the Chief Scientist and other experts will act as consultants and advisors for the panel .
Members of the reference group are set to be announced before Christmas .
The announcement has been welcomed by university peak bodies who say they are looking forward to contributing to the review .
What we need is a contest of innovative ideas .
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said while the Accord will demand “ tough decisions ” it will help create a tertiary education sector that will “ shape the future of the nation .”
“ What we need is a contest of innovative ideas to ensure we have the right policy framework so Australia can prosper in the future ,” Thomson said .
“ The accord provides a window to reframe Australia ’ s higher education sector and lift the bar .
“ If we miss this opportunity the repercussions will not be just to the sector , but to all of Australia .”
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said universities are ready to partner with the government and bring “ bold thinking ” to reforms .
“ The Accord is fundamental to getting the right policy settings in place to enable universities to thrive ,” Jackson said .
“ We will be bold in ambition and rigorous in our approach to the Accord – courageous enough to think deeply about how our systems work and whether they best serve our sector and the nation .”
The Accord panel will provide its interim report by June 2023 and deliver a final report by December 2023 . ■
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