Universities Australia today commended the Government for including a one off payment of $950 to up to 440,000 students who receive the Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy, as part of its Economic Stimulus Package announcement.
"It will be helpful at the beginning of the academic year when many students face out of pocket expenses for text-books, computers, travel passes and other essentials for university study. Students were absent from the October 2008 stimulus package so the move is particularly welcome at this time," said Dr Glenn Withers, Chief Executive of Universities Australia.
"This kind of payment was suggested by Universities Australia in its pre-budget submissions, and we also look forward to further support for students through the Governments forthcoming response to the basic reforms recommended by the Bradley Review of Higher Education, alongside wider support for universities themselves," Dr Withers said.
"Government must recognise the role university funding and reform can play in a jobs, recovery and growth strategy, so the promised education revolution for universities, including further deployment of the Education Investment Fund, should be central to the upcoming Federal Budget," Dr Withers said.
As a result of planning for the Nation Building Funds legislation passed in December 2008, and the fast-tracked Higher Education Endowment Fund grants, universities are well advanced with projects that will create infrastructure, jobs and economic growth as soon as funds are made available.
"Student support will enhance consumption, equity and skills formation and is an opportunity to create growth for Australia, and the same applies to direct funding for universities" Dr Withers said.
"Jobs, skills, and productivity are an attractive package for Government in acting on the Bradley recommendations in the Budget," Dr Withers said.
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