“A strong and united Opposition is critical for robust and durable policy decision-making and universities look forward to working with the Australian Labor Party in pursuing a commitment to sound science, research, innovation and higher education policy,” said Universities Australia’s Chief Executive, Belinda Robinson.

“The appointment of science and research policy veteran, Senator Kim Carr, to the portfolio of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry will bring experience, as well as a steadiness and stability to Labor’s approach to these critical policy areas that has been disappointingly absent in recent times,” Ms Robinson said.

Ms Robinson said the sector welcomed recent comments by Mr Shorten on the importance of higher education, including his comments today that:

“As I highlighted in my campaign for leader of the Labor Party, Labor should be strong advocates for science, research and innovation, and higher education.”

“Universities are the engine rooms that power successful nations. They drive economic growth, productivity, innovation, global engagement and industrial transformation,” Ms Robinson said.

“Universities Australia also looks forward to working with other Shadow Ministers, particularly Tanya Plibersek, Penny Wong, Julie Collins, Catherine King, and Richard Marles on the full suite of policy matters that impact on universities capacity to deliver in the national interest – foreign policy, international education, trade, regional development, health and immigration.”