Australia passes Universities Accord reforms

Australia¡¯s government has legislated a?tranche of Universities Accord recommendations, securing passage of a?bill to?introduce paid practicums, boost 바카라사이트 number of?free enabling courses and change 바카라사이트 indexation of?student debt.

The bill also requires institutions to?allocate student-led organisations at?least 40?per cent of?바카라사이트 money raised through a?compulsory student services fee. And it?overcomes one of?바카라사이트 last remaining obstacles to?바카라사이트 amalgamation of?바카라사이트 universities of?Adelaide and South Australia by?authorising 바카라사이트 government to?fund 바카라사이트 soon-to-be merged Adelaide University.

The bill¡¯s passage represents a victory for 바카라사이트 government after its plan to cap international enrolments next year was thwarted by?바카라사이트 opposition.

The government has in effect given up on that proposal, putting it near 바카라사이트 end of a wish list of 29?bills still requiring Senate approval. The last parliamentary sitting of 바카라사이트 year ends on 29?November.

Universities Australia (UA) said 바카라사이트 approval of 바카라사이트 accord legislation was ¡°a?big win¡± for students and graduates. It ¡°will make a positive difference at a time when many Australians are struggling with 바카라사이트 high cost of living¡±, said chief executive Luke Sheehy.

The bill will excise some A$3?billion (?1.5?billion) from student debt because 바카라사이트 change to 바카라사이트 indexation formula was backdated to before last year¡¯s near record 7.1?per cent hike. Instead, a 3.2?per cent mark-up will retrospectively be applied. Education minister Jason Clare said 바카라사이트 Australian Taxation Office would return 바카라사이트 difference to graduates ¡°as soon as possible¡±.

While 바카라사이트 measures had widespread support in 바카라사이트 sector, universities objected to being given 바카라사이트 job of administering 바카라사이트 payments for practicums. UA said it would ¡°work with 바카라사이트 government to overcome any administrative burdens¡±.

The legislation was passed unchanged, with more than 10?amendments voted down. They included a Greens motion to erase all student debt, eliminate tuition fees for public tertiary institutions and increase 바카라사이트 stipend for student practicums to minimum wage level.

The Senate also rejected a Greens amendment fast-tracking 바카라사이트 government¡¯s election promise to?wipe 20?per cent of student debt.

john.ross@ws-2000.com