Post-Bradley and Cutler: Public Forums on the Future of Higher Education in Tasmania
MEDIA RELEASE
National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) National President Dr Carolyn Allport will speak at two public forums in Launceston and Hobart this week on the possible outcomes of the Rudd Government’s major reviews on higher education, what it might mean for the University of Tasmania, and NTEU’s key policy priorities.
“The University of Tasmania is the only university in the state, with multiple campuses in regional centres. This raises a unique set of challenges for the University to deal with,” Dr Allport said today.
“While it has the third highest participation rate for disadvantaged students of all Australian universities, it has the second lowest participation rate of 15 – 64 year-olds in higher education. It also receives the highest level of research funding of any Australian university outside of the research-intensive ‘Group of 8’ universities.”
Dr Allport said that while the Government’s fuller response to the Bradley and Cutler reviews would be announced in the May Budget, Ministers Gillard and Carr have now announced some of the policy parameters.
“NTEU is pleased that Minister Gillard emphasised that the Government’s response to the Bradley recommendations would be driven by public interest principles, and would aim to lift the number of university graduates to 40% of 25-34 year olds by 2025,” Dr Allport said.
“The decision to maintain the cap on HECS fees at existing levels and ruling out the possibility of our public universities charging domestic undergraduate students full fees will also be a relief to all Australians aspiring to study at university.”
“The costs incurred by regional universities, including the University of Tasmania, in providing opportunities for disadvantaged students has also been acknowledged, with a commitment to review existing, highly arbitrary, regional loadings.”
Dr Allport added that “It is also very positive that Senator Carr has acknowledged the principle that the costs of university research should be fully funded; and notwithstanding the currently budgetary situation, he has committed to argue for this in Cabinet.”
Dr Allport will outline NTEU’s key priorities for the sector’s future at the public forums. These priorities were the focus of an intensive lobbying exercise with ALP politicians in Canberra two weeks ago. Please see attached briefing papers for further information.
Details of the Public Forums are:
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Our Universities Matter – Bradley and Cutler, and the Future of Higher Education
5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Degrees Restaurant, Newnham Drive, Newnham
Speakers:
· Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President
· Paul Barnett, Executive Director Planning and Development, University of Tasmania
Thursday 26 March 2009
Our Universities Matter – Bradley and Cutler, and the Future of Higher Education
5.30 pm to 7.30 pm
University Staff Club, University of Tasmania, Hobart
Speakers:
· Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President
· Professor Gary O’Donovan, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students & Education), University of Tasmania
For further information:
Michael Evans, NTEU National Organiser, 0418 241 664
NTEU University of Tasmania Branch, 03 6226 7575
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