Media Releases 2003

24 November  2003

AVCC continues negotiations with key decision makers

The Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC) will begin briefings tomorrow at Parliament House with key Members of Parliament and Senators as the debate of the Higher Education Support Bill 2003 begins in the Senate.

An AVCC delegation led by AVCC President elect, Professor Di Yerbury from Macquarie University, will participate in intense discussions with key decision makers over the next two days.

"We are prepared to go to the wire on this one," Professor Yerbury said. "It is imperative that everyone understands where our focus lies and is aware that we are forcefully articulating our position to those who can provide the best outcome for the future of higher education in Australia.

"We cannot stress enough, the absolute urgency of the legislation being dealt with this year.

"There is no more time for fudging around the edges – it is time for the direction and future of our education system to be clearly defined.

"In our meetings over the next two days, we will be utilising all our efforts to articulate our views and to both influence Government to incorporate the remainder of our proposed amendments and those key Independents to deal with the right legislation this year.

"As the AVCC President, Professor Deryck Schreuder has said on many occasions, we are at a Crossroads and it is now imperative that we move our sector in the right direction and provide the best possible opportunities for the future of education in our country," Professor Yerbury said.

Media Inquiries Tracey Jiggins – phone: (02) 6285 8206 or 0400 166691