Higher education now firmly on election agenda
29 January 2001
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s policy to double funding for research through the Australian Research Council and increase fully funded student places in existing universities by 21,000. However, concerns remain over the absence of solutions to the fundamental resourcing problem facing Australian universities and the move to implement aspects of the October 1999 Cabinet submission by introducing a postgraduate loans scheme.
"Mr Howard’s announcement has confirmed universities as a major election issue for 2001", Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President said. "The NTEU welcomes the increased attention being paid to universities by both major parties and eagerly anticipates a year in which it is recognised that major investment in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Today’s announcement raises the bar for Mr Beazley and the ALP in the area of high-level research funding.
"Today’s announcement is a welcome boost for Australian researchers who have become disheartened by the lack of funding available for research and the low success rates for funding applications.
"Unfortunately the statement offers only limited solutions to the fundamental resource problems facing our universities. If nothing is done to address soaring student/staff ratios and to reduce universities’ reliance on full fee paying student income, then quality will remain an issue.
"While the postgraduate loans scheme is a positive step for many students, the crisis it addresses is of the government’s own making. When the Howard Government was elected in 1996 there were 41,315 fully funded postgraduate coursework places. By last year this had been cut to less than half, with only 16,400 places funded by the Government. If the Government really wants to fix the problem it should provide HECS places, not just HECS style loans to pay market rate fees.
"The statement raises the real concern that the postgraduate loan scheme will be used as a battering ram to deregulate undergraduate fees and allow universities to charge whatever they like.
"Public investment in universities is essential if Australia is to prosper. It is good to see the Government finally recognising at least some of its mistakes. A more comprehensive vision from all political parties is now needed."