Crisis in Australian universities set to continue

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations condemns the failure of the 2005 Federal Budget to address the dire financial condition of Australia's universities.

"In a year of significant budget surplus, the neglect of the higher education sector is an indication of this Government's real agenda. Far from caring about maintaining a high quality and internationally competitive university system, the Government is intent on driving the sector into the ground," said CAPA President Stephen Horton.

"The financial neglect of the sector is compounded by several proposed changes to higher education from the Government that will seriously damage the funding base and academic independence of universities," continued Mr Horton.

"In recent weeks, the Government has reneged on its agreement to adequately index government grants, has attacked the rights and employment conditions of university staff, has linked funding to issues that have no relationship to the mission of universities, and is intent on abolishing student organisations without any consideration of the consequences."

"There is nothing in this budget that will assist students to pursue their study. Already, research students are being driven away from academic careers, postgraduate coursework students are reeling from massive fee increases, and international students are effectively funding their institution's survival," said Mr Horton.

"The higher education sector is in crisis and the whole community will ultimately suffer from this financial neglect. Instead of minor tax cuts, a far more responsible approach would be investment in Australia's future through significant increases in public funding of universities."

"What is needed at this time is a budget that increases student income support, raises and extends research scholarships, funds more places, and increases grants to universities. If the Government wants Australian universities to maintain an internationally competitive position, starving the sector is not the way to go about it," Mr Horton concluded.