Australian universities shed at least 17,300 jobs in 2020 and lost an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue compared to 2019, according to figures released today by Universities Australia.

Universities Australia has congratulated Alan Tudge on his appointment as Minister for Education and Youth following the Federal Cabinet reshuffle announced today.

Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities have reiterated the sector’s commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry following today’s publication of the Walker report.

In studies dating back to the 1960s, researchers proved a direct link between uncertainty and stress. And if we didn’t quite believe it then, 2020 had rammed it home.

What will the future look like for Australia after the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Universities today are online communities, as well as physical and intellectual communities. And that raises pressing new safety challenges for all members of university communities, including about 1.4 million students and 260,000 university staff.

Thank you for inviting us to provide evidence today. I would like to note three things briefly to assist the committee.

Joint opening statement by Universities Australia, Science & Technology Australia and the Australian Academy of Science to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Inquiry into identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef.