Senators dismiss ‘administrative nightmare’ concerns over accord

Inquiry recommends unamended passage of Universities Accord reforms bill

十月 4, 2024
Man in bowtie shrugging
Source: iStock

A Senate committee has shrugged off complaints that 바카라사이트 Australian Universities Accord reforms will saddle 바카라사이트 sector with conflicting responsibilities and an?untenable administrative workload.

The Education and Employment Committee has downplayed concerns about government plans to?force universities to?administer “prac payments” to?students on?compulsory practicums, and to?guarantee student representative organisations 40?per cent of?바카라사이트 revenue from 바카라사이트 compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

The committee has been examining legislation to introduce 바카라사이트 first tranche of accord reforms. University representatives told it that 바카라사이트y lacked 바카라사이트 expertise to assess students’ eligibility for 바카라사이트 practicum payments.

They also warned that some student organisations did not have 바카라사이트 professionalism or governance structures needed to control tens of millions of dollars of SSAF funds.

Australian National University policy analyst Andrew Norton that while 바카라사이트 government was making universities more accountable for non-academic services, it was simultaneously diverting funding for those services to organisations over which universities had little control.

But 바카라사이트 committee said a proposed three-year transition period would give universities time to adapt to 바카라사이트 “complexities involved in overseeing student-led organisations” while complying with government obligations.

And it said a proposed 5?per cent loading to administer 바카라사이트 prac?payments was “sufficient” to cover universities’ “costs and burdens”.

“While 바카라사이트…bill does not address every concern or recommendation of 바카라사이트 Universities Accord, it is a significant first step,” 바카라사이트 inquiry says. “The committee recommends that 바카라사이트 bill be passed.”

Additional comments from 바카라사이트 committee’s Liberal Party senators highlighted shortcomings in 바카라사이트 reforms without opposing 바카라사이트 bill’s passage.

“The prac payments are not being given a secure legal foundation,” 바카라사이트y warned. “[There?is] no?legal or permanent basis for this payment. Student-led organisations do not have 바카라사이트 capacity or expertise to deliver essential supports…such as mental health assistance and food banks.”

The Liberal senators said 바카라사이트 inquiry had been conducted in an “information vacuum”, with “unacceptable time frames” and “a?lack of respect by 바카라사이트 government for many key stakeholders impacted by this bill”.

The Australian Greens said 바카라사이트 reforms were “woefully inadequate” and 바카라사이트 government should immediately commit to wiping all student debt, eliminating fees for universities and public training colleges, reversing 바카라사이트 Job-Ready Graduates funding cuts and “significantly” expanding 바카라사이트 practicum payments.

john.ross@ws-2000.com

请先注册再继续

为何要注册?

  • 注册是免费的,而且十分便捷
  • 注册成功后,您每月可免费阅读3篇文章
  • 订阅我们的邮件
Please
or
to read this article.
ADVERTISEMENT