Media Releases 2008

19 February 2008

Solutions to build human capital through Australia’s universities

Universities Australia today released a position paper calling for the Federal Government to commence further action on its election promises to the higher education sector from the 2008 Budget.

“The focus of our position is to encourage the federal Government to recognise the important social contribution made by universities and to address issues including student equity and access, the articulation between university and the workforce, and fiscally responsible ways of investing in the future of the higher education sector while retaining Australia’s economic strength,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Glenn Withers said.

“The paper puts forward the following key actions for the Government. Firstly, further implementation of the commitments it made to the higher education sector prior to the election, which will ensure universities and students receive the benefit of the election promises in a timely way,” Dr Withers said.

“Secondly, Universities Australia proposes:

• a National Internship Scheme Initiative;
• a Tertiary Student Computing Fund; and
• social security regulation changes to remove scholarships from taxable income levels, and lower the age of independence for social security purposes to 18 years.
  

“To put Australia in a better position globally and really start the Education Revolution in the higher education sector, we must also further invest in core teaching and research,” Dr Withers said.

“Therefore, Universities Australia also recommends:

• expansion of core university funding in the Budget to account fully for the real costs of provision (an additional $210 million for 2008-2009);
• the allocation of $3-6 billion of Budget surplus to the Higher Education Endowment Fund as part of the Future Fund (allowing universities to access project funds for infrastructure of $150-300 million per year); and
• establishment of a new $6 billion HECS Fund from either securitisation of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme or additional Budget surplus (a further $300 million per year for infrastructure).

“These solutions will help universities to contribute to government goals for national enhancement, especially through the use of the budget surplus or further national savings to reinvest in the higher education sector for greater national productivity. They also offer ways to improve student equity and access to higher education to allow greater participation,” Dr Withers said.

-ENDS-

The position paper is available here

Media Inquiries Rebecca Harris – phone: (02) 6285 8206 or 0400 166691