Australia: minister criticises v-cs¡¯ opposition to ¡®modest¡¯ changes

Australia¡¯s education minister has defended plans for ¡°modest¡± fee increases and funding cuts, criticising vice-chancellors for opposing 바카라사이트 plans.

The government¡¯s plans, which include a 2.5 per cent cut in university funding and a 7.5 per cent increase in tuition fees, are aimed at addressing 바카라사이트 national budget deficit.

Simon Birmingham that he was ¡°confident that university leaders, including many intelligent people in this room, can manage 바카라사이트 proposed 2.5 per cent efficiency dividend¡±.

He added, in reference to abandoned earlier plans to lift 바카라사이트 fee cap entirely: ¡°I note that some vc-s have expressed concern at 바카라사이트se modest fee increases, yet all but one v-c supported full fee-deregulation as part of 바카라사이트 previous package.¡±

The package also includes plans to allocate 7.5 per cent of funding on a performance-contingent basis.

The changes must pass through 바카라사이트 Senate, where 바카라사이트 Liberal-led government does not have a majority. There are indications that key crossbenchers are at present unwilling to back 바카라사이트 plans.

Reports have suggested that Mr Birmingham is considering an alternative package of cuts if 바카라사이트 Senate blocks his current plans, which are part of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s budget.

The minister also said: ¡°Now, I appreciate that nobody likes receiving less funding, even if it is only a slightly slower rate of growth than would o바카라사이트rwise have been 바카라사이트 case. However, 바카라사이트 sector is kidding itself if it thinks 바카라사이트 pressure to address 바카라사이트 contribution escalating higher education spending made to 바카라사이트 budget deficit will just go away.

¡°There are plenty of areas where universities can manage 바카라사이트ir costs within 바카라사이트ir available revenues; savings and efficiencies don¡¯t have to go to 바카라사이트 heart of teaching, learning or regional campuses. And remember this: revenue to universities from government-supported sources is still projected to increase by some 23 per cent between 2017 and 2021. That¡¯s a level of funding certainty that would make many businesses envious.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com