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paper,” Thomas said.“ That’ s a good flag from the minister that he’ s prepared to listen to the sector”
University of Newcastle VC Caroline McMillen was similarly impressed.
“ It’ s good the government has made a clear statement that it’ s not going to support all the deregulation,” McMillen concurred.” It’ s also helpful to have the options paper because it provides a good framework to address issues that have been approached in the last three years.”
Op shop for policy
Government paper solicits sector feedback on major issues; sweeping cuts on hold for now.
By Patrick Avenell
The higher education sector has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’ s release of an options – or discussion – paper to garner feedback from stakeholders as to the direction of policy. The paper has been referred to as a reset button that provides certainty through 2016 and 2017.
Called Driving Innovation, Fairness and Excellence in Australian Higher Education, the paper was launched to coincide with the 2016 – 17 federal Budget. Instead of the drastic and ultimately failed reform agenda inherent within the 2014 – 15 Budget delivered during the Abbott years, the Turnbull Government gainsaid, delaying any swingeing cuts until after broad consultation with universities, parents, students and other concerned parties.
“ Higher education is more important to the future of Australia’ s industry, businesses and families than ever before,” the department stated to kickstart the consultation.“ It is key to enhancing equality and delivering social and economic mobility for generations of Australians. For these reasons, it is essential that higher education policy settings drive innovation and areas of specialisation across our universities, embed fairness and equitable access to university for all Australians, ensure global excellence amongst our universities, and are financially sustainable and affordable into the long term.”
Dr Michael Spence, chair of the Go8 and vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, praised the paper’ s release.
“ The Go8 called for this circuit-breaker just over a year ago and the government has now moved to reopen consultation,” Spence said.“ As we now work through the options presented to us, the sector at least has a stop-gap of badly-needed short-term funding certainty.”
This‘ we now have breathing room’ response was echoed by Regional Universities Network chair and University of Southern Queensland VC Jan Thomas.
“ I really am very pleased that the minister has chosen to consult with an options
OPTIONS PAPER TOPICS The major discussion points of the Commonwealth Government’ s university sector options paper are:
• Should there be subsidies for all undergraduate courses at all universities?
• Should there be an expansion of sub-bachelor courses, and should this be demand driven?
• How should postgraduate courses be funded, taking into account how beneficial the subject matter is, how‘ STEMmy’ it is, then length of study, and whether it should be demand driven?
• How important, successful, valuable and beneficial has the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme been?
• How can regional students overcome geographical barriers to attend universities, and how can regional universities improve and develop at the same rate as metropolitan campuses?
• What does the sector think of flagship courses?
• How can the QILT program, designed to help students“ compare undergraduate student experience and graduate employment” be expanded and improved?
• How can subsidies and student contribution rates be balanced to ensure the system is sustainable?
• How can the HELP scheme be adjusted so university remains affordable for students but the shortfall from unpaid debts does not continue to blow out? Parties wishing to make a submission must do so before July 25. Mail submissions to: Higher education reform feedback Higher education group GPO Box 9880 Canberra ACT 2601 Or email to HEReform @ education. gov. au ■
See“ Think globally, act regionally”, page 14.
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