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Whilst Christopher Pyne remains committed to seeing his reform plans passed through Parliament , the Go8 has announced it will no longer support discussions of the legislation , pending further analysis .
The Go8 has long supported the government ’ s proposal for fee deregulation , describing it as the “ only long-term solution on offer ”. However , on the last day of March , the group announced it would not support further modification of the current reform package , nor countenance other proposals being floated as solutions .
Here Go8 chief executive Vicki Thomson explains the move , whilst other industry stakeholders give their thoughts on how the government and sector should move forward from here .
OK , now what ?
First the Senate said no to proposed reforms , then the Go8 withdrew its support for the debate ; it ’ s time to see how those moves affect various stakeholders ’ positions on the issue .
Interviews by Antonia Maiolo
Corrupted by compromise Vicki Thomson , chief executive , Go8
The critical funding issues facing our nation ’ s universities still need long-term resolution .
If the current funding model is not changed , it is our students who will suffer most . The Go8 , which educates 25 percent of Australia ’ s undergraduate students , remains totally and consistently supportive of fee deregulation as a long-term sustainable solution to funding .
That has been our position for [ about ] three years . It has not changed .
What the Go8 does not , and will never , support is legislation so corrupted by compromise in an attempt to secure a Senate win . To support such a way forward is to sign up to an unknown and potentially unworkable compromise that does not offer a longterm solution and would be fee-deregulation in name only .
That is why , about two weeks ago , the Go8 publicly called STOP ! The political process is broken . Let ’ s hit the reset button . Of course that ’ s not where the Go8 wants to be , as funding problems compound through delay , but we have no choice . A solution that damages the future opportunities of the next generation of Australian professionals and puts at risk the research that drives our nation is untenable .
So let ’ s stop now . Because the worst of all [ outcomes ] is something that delivers no solution , something that can ’ t work and something that means we are all back to square one with the same financial issues in just a few years regardless of who is in government .
From what the Go8 hears from the opposition and the Senate cross-benchers , realistically they won ’ t pass any new version of the funding legislation that comes before them . Basically it seems they are over it . However , since it appears everyone does agree that the current funding system is broken and the correct solution must be found , the Go8 wants to involve business and industry – which hire our graduates and need our research for their development – in breaking the deadlock . We want to work with business and industry to review the reasoning , to put forward analysis that underpins the required good public policy and , very importantly , prove that such a solution is essential .
We also must bring the public with us and prove to them that this is not some self-serving cause ( as some have portrayed it ) but that the future opportunities of their children , jobs growth and business development are at stake .
These are very high stakes . We must get it right – and for the long term .
Stay engaged , consider all options .
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