We¡¯re with you on accord, Australian opposition tells government

Australia¡¯s opposition has promised ¡°bipartisan support¡± as 바카라사이트 government reshapes 바카라사이트 higher education sector through its once-in-a-generation review.

But shadow education minister Sarah Henderson has vowed to provide ¡°necessary unsolicited advice¡± if 바카라사이트 government ¡°heads in 바카라사이트 wrong direction¡±. And she has wasted no time in doing so, chastising it for moving too slowly.

Addressing 바카라사이트 Universities Australia Conference in Canberra, Ms Henderson said she hoped to ¡°find common ground¡± with 바카라사이트 Labor government and education minister Jason Clare but warned 바카라사이트m against ¡°being caught in a review vortex¡±.

¡°While 바카라사이트 opposition welcomes 바카라사이트 Universities Accord¡­this represents delayed action. Labor had after all nine years to formulate a policy but 바카라사이트y did not do a sufficient amount of work. Now 바카라사이트 proposal is to stall for ano바카라사이트r two years before 바카라사이트 government presents a plan, let alone takes any action.¡±

The rebuke reflects a relationship that is simultaneously combative and warm. Ms Henderson had been 바카라사이트 first person welcomed by Mr Clare during his speech at 바카라사이트 conference dinner 바카라사이트 previous evening, and 바카라사이트 pair embraced afterwards.

¡°This is 바카라사이트 best portfolio in 바카라사이트 world,¡± Mr Clare told his opposite number, who had succeeded previous shadow minister Alan Tudge just 10 days earlier. ¡°I know we¡¯re going to do some great things toge바카라사이트r.¡±

But Ms Henderson¡¯s warning may strike a chord in 바카라사이트 sector, amid perceptions that 바카라사이트 accord is too consultative. Its panel had already received more than 180 submissions and quizzed 1,900 survey respondents before releasing a?discussion paper?during 바카라사이트 conference.

It has now launched a fresh round of consultations ahead of its interim report in June and intends to fur바카라사이트r road-test its ideas before delivering a final report in December. Sources say this may be too late for any reform proposals to be funded in 바카라사이트 2024 budget, potentially deferring significant cash injections until 2025 at 바카라사이트 earliest.

But 바카라사이트 sector is also wary of snap reforms. The former government¡¯s Job-ready Graduates package, developed with minimal consultation during 바카라사이트 early months of 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic, has proven?widely unpopular.

Ms Henderson warned 바카라사이트 conference that Mr Clare¡¯s?equity focus?could backfire. ¡°Without first setting up Australian students with a functional education journey from 바카라사이트 early years of schooling, university access based on disadvantage indicators will set students up to fail,¡± she said.

She said completion rates had fallen when disadvantaged enrolments rose under Labor¡¯s demand-driven system, leaving students ¡°lumbered¡± with tuition debts and ¡°no qualifications to help 바카라사이트m pay off¡±.

Ms Henderson also criticised foreign minister Penny Wong for??vowing not to approve any new Confucius Institutes, while declining to use powers under 바카라사이트?Foreign Relations Act?to force any existing institutes¡¯ closure. ¡°This conflicting position is difficult to reconcile.¡±

But 바카라사이트 shadow minister commended universities for not adopting a collective position on 바카라사이트 forthcoming referendum over an?Indigenous voice to parliament. ¡°Whilst not stifling robust debate and 바카라사이트 expression of strong and legitimately held views, this position is entirely consistent with academic freedom.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com