NEW DIRECTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY
13 March 2008
The NTEU welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, of a major review of Australian higher education policies.
“The NTEU agrees with the Minister for Education that if
“In addition to emphasizing the importance of higher education in addressing
“The Minister understands that one of the major challenges facing our universities is how they can provide an ever increasing number of Australians wishing to attend university the opportunity to choose between a range of diverse, but equally high quality, institutions.”
“The Minister’s decision to undertake a review which has a longer term perspective is also critical, as it can address the levels of public investment universities need if they are to fulfill these roles in the future.”
In the shorter term however, the Minister also announced that she will begin discussions with universities on the shape of mission based funding compacts to be implemented from 2010.
“The NTEU believes that mission based funding compacts will allow funding agreements to better reflect the varying missions and different communities each university serves. They also have the potential to introduce a level of stability and certainty into funding agreements, which has not been the case in recent years.”
“Rather than seeing universities competing against one another the Government seems genuinely committed to developing collaborative relationships with our universities, which will allow them to enhance their contribution to the Australian community.”
“The NTEU looks forward to participating in the review and having further discussions on funding compacts and higher education policy,” concluded Dr Allport.
For more information or comment contact:
Dr Carolyn Allport, National President, (03) 9254 1910