Government on Notice over Regional Education
15 March 2000
A Parliamentary Inquiry has urged the Federal Government to improve funding to regional universities, in order to address educational disadvantage. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industry and Regional Services has released its report on the \"Inquiry into Infrastructure and the Development of Australia’s Regional Areas\". According to the NTEU, the Committee’s report supports many of the points made in the NTEU submission.
NTEU President Dr. Carolyn Allport said that the Federal Government must now commit to policies of substance in addressing the linkages between education, innovation, regional development and employment.
\"The Report of the Inquiry acknowledged the critical role of education in regional development, skill development and job creation. The Commonwealth must also acknowledge this role and commit to strengthening the links between innovation, research, education and regional growth.\" Dr. Allport said.
Dr. Allport said that a range of inter-related policies need to be implemented to address the atrophy of opportunity associated with regional decline. The Committee’s report highlighted the need for real improvements to Internet access, communication infrastructure, and funding levels for regional universities. The market will not be able to deliver such a comprehensive approach without significant leadership and commitment from all levels of Government.
\"Real partnerships between State and Federal Governments, industry and regional universities need to be developed if we are serious about genuinely addressing regional disadvantage. It is insufficient to simply relocate a government office or two to regional centres, and either relocate the current staff with it or hope that locals will want to work there. Instead, regional development needs to be related closely to the aspirations those who live in the regions, and must take account of regional diversity. Universities are well placed to assist in developing measure which acknowledge the unique factors of regions and regional communities.\"
Dr. Allport said that the effects of Federal Policies were confirmed by recent studies which showed that increasing education costs were blunting the aspirations of rural students towards higher education, to the point that many no longer considered university an option. The requirement to relocate in order to study is similarly a deterrent to enrolling at university. The Federal Government must now improve funding to regional universities, but not at the expense of the rest of the sector.
\"Knowledge and Innovation - the Government\'s Policy Statement on Research and Research Training, includes two new initiatives – a $10m regional industry research component of SPIRT and $6m to cushion the impact of the proposals on regional universities. Both of these initiatives will be funded from existing sources. The Government is really robbing Peter to pay Paul, and instead should provide additional funds to comply with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry.\"