Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2023
Site by ED.

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 12 September 2017

GOVERNMENT OUT OF STEP WITH COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO UNI CUTS: ONLY ONE IN TEN SA VOTERS SUPPORT

The majority of voters Australia-wide oppose the Turnbull Government’s plan to inflict $2.8 billion of cuts on universities and students – with the strongest opposition in South Australia and Victoria.

Just one in ten South Australian voters support the proposed cuts – significantly below national support, which sits at a low 16 per cent. Only 12 per cent of Victorian voters favour the cuts.

The polling, conducted by JWS Research for Universities Australia in the second half of July, reveals 62 per cent of all voters across the country oppose the cuts.

In South Australia and Victoria, nearly two in three voters (64 per cent and 63 per cent) oppose the proposal.

The legislation to impose the cuts is scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives today and the Senate tomorrow.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said the Australian community could see it made no sense to cut university funding at a time of rapid and dramatic economic change.

“This confirms that the Government’s plan to impose a $2.8 billion cut on universities and students is way out of kilter with community sentiment,” Ms Robinson said.

“Voters don’t want to see cuts to universities – which are key drivers of economic growth – because they create new jobs, reskill Australians and secure $24 billion a year in export income.”

“Universities and their students have already contributed almost $4 billion to repair the Budget over the last six years. Clearly, the Australian community is saying enough is enough: no more uni cuts.”

The poll of 1575 voters showed majority voter opposition right across the country to the proposed $2.8 billion in cuts to universities and students over the next four years.

The proposed cuts are in stark contrast to several of Australia’s major economic competitors, who are maintaining strong public investment in higher education and research.

Only last week, the respected global university rankings analyst Phil Baty, of Times Higher Education, issued a bleak warning that the proposed cuts could “seriously harm the country’s institutions”.

Global rankings are a key influence on where international students choose to study, and continued high performance by Australia’s universities is crucial to our nation’s export earnings.

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
2 June 2023

Australian universities making global impact

Australia’s world-class universities are continuing to make their mark on the global stage in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
31 May 2023

UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS CONFIRMED

University of South Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor David Lloyd was confirmed as the new Chair of Universities Australia at today’s Annual General Meeting.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
30 May 2023

UNIS PRODUCING SKILLED WORKERS THE ECONOMY NEEDS

Universities are continuing to play a central role in ensuring Australia’s economy has the skilled workers it needs to grow and prosper.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2023
Site by ED.
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
©2023
Site by ED.
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2023 - Site by ED.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index