Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • Our Staff
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Keep it clever
    • 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
©2022
Site by ED.

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 3 April 2019

SURPLUS MEANS NO NEED TO RAID RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

The last remaining fund for education and research infrastructure is again under threat, with the announcement in yesterday’s Budget that it will be repurposed to create a new Emergency Response Fund.

The Budget outlines the plan to repurpose the Education Investment Fund (EIF) to create a new fund to top up funding for natural disaster recovery.

This follows the failed attempt to repurpose the EIF to partially fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) — a measure that never gained the approval of Parliament.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said: “There is no need to raid Australia’s last remaining fund for building education and research infrastructure.”

“As an advanced nation we should be able to invest in both research infrastructure that helps us understand and address emergencies, as well as an emergency response fund.”

“Surely with a $7.1 billion surplus this is not an either/or proposition.”

“The EIF has been gathering dust since the Government froze payments, with the last payout in 2013.”

“It is now valued at $3.9 billion — meaning six years of lost investment opportunities.”

Ms Jackson said: “The world-leading research supported by EIF infrastructure includes work on climate change, natural disasters and human behaviour — all vital to successful emergency responses.”

“Tragically, more Australians than ever are being affected by natural disasters. University research —supported by long-term infrastructure investment — can help us tackle the cause, not just deal with the aftermath.”

“Cutting edge research — the kind that changes the lives of everyday Australians through medical and social breakthroughs — needs cutting edge infrastructure to make it happen.”

“Without modern labs and equipment we cannot take part in modern research — they are the baseline tools our students and researchers need to fuel our economy and improve society.”

“The Budget clearly shows that the Government has the funds to both support Australians affected by natural disasters and to back essential research capability.”

“There is no reason to make Australians choose between these two important priorities.”

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
17 August 2022

More university places to skill-up more Australians

Universities Australia welcomes the Government’s allocation of 20,000 additional university places to tackle skill shortages and give more people from under-represented backgrounds the chance to go to university.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
15 August 2022

Mitacs and Universities Australia sign renewed agreement allowing for expanded mobility opportunities

Vancouver, BC – Mitacs and Universities Australia are proud to announce that they have signed a renewed agreement, allowing for expanded research collaborations and mobility opportunities between the two countries.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
15 August 2022

Onshore vaccine manufacturing hub key to Australia’s wellbeing

Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that an onshore vaccine manufacturing hub will be created at Monash University is critical to advancing Australia’s response to future health outbreaks and strengthening our sovereign capability.

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
©2022
Site by ED.
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
©2022
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
©2022 - Site by ED.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index