UNIVERSITY STAFF CONGRATULATE LABOR'S MINISTERIAL LINE UP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
29 November 2007
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) on Thursday welcomed the announcement of Julia Gillard as Education Minister and Senator Kim Carr as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and we look forward to working with them on ensuring Labor’s ‘Education Revolution’ is extended to the nation’s universities.
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President said:
“NTEU congratulates Julia Gillard and Kim Carr on their respective portfolios and we look forward to working with them and the new Labor Government to flesh out what the ‘Education Revolution’ means for universities.”
“While the announcements made by Labor during the election campaign for universities were limited, their emphasis on the importance of higher education, the recognition that universities have been significantly under funded over the last decade, and the commitment to reverse this situation, are significant.”
“These sentiments signal an end to the political and cultural hostility that characterised so much of the Howard Government’s approach to universities and the people who work in them.”
“In addition to implementing Labor’s current plans, future priorities need to include securing an increased and more stable funding stream that covers the full cost of providing quality teaching and research.”
“We need a new funding model that allows institutions to be more internationally competitive but also ensures equity for students and nurtures the public interest role of universities.”
“Urgent action also needs to be taken to making dedicated research careers at Australian universities a far more attractive proposition than is currently the case and, in turn, rejuvenating our rapidly aging academic workforce.”
“It is clear that the election was a referendum on industrial relations. This was a particularly contentious in the higher education sector where we had both WorkChoices and a separate set of harsh industrial conditions tied to funding called the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements.”
“These did nothing to improve the quality of teaching and research undertaken at universities, were opposed by many institutions and their staff, and we welcome Labor’s commitment to abolishing them.”
For further information and comment:
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President: 03
9254 1910
Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and
Research Coordinator: 03 9254 1910