Base Public Funding Must Increase

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) held its conference and Annual Council Meeting (ACM) last week with the support of the University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA). The Council enjoyed contributions from universities across Australia , welcoming representatives from Victoria and Canberra Universities for the first time since the introduction of so-called Voluntary Student Unionism in 2005.

Stakeholders from across the higher education sector spoke on a range of topics, including updates on the review of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Research Workforce Strategy. The equity forum was a highlight of the conference, with particularly excellent presentations from Australia 's Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes and Professor Simon Marginson.

In preparation for its submission to the Federal Government's Base Funding Review of Higher Education, the Council developed the following principles for its policy position on coursework degrees:

1. Access to Higher Education in Australia is an inalienable right.

2. A high level of participation in higher education is of both public and private benefit. Such benefits may include but are not restricted to better health outcomes, higher income levels, higher levels of interpersonal trust and, higher productivity levels across society.

3. Base public funding should at least match private contributions to higher education.

4. Every postgraduate course of study should include some publicly-funded places.

5. Direct fees are not the only cost of higher education incurred by graduate students. Private contributions may include but are not restricted to foregone income, personal research expenses, and childcare costs.

6. When setting fees, the capacity to pay should be balanced against the societal and individual consequences of carriage of debt after graduation.

7. The private cost of postgraduate education should reflect the real cost of course delivery. The higher capacity to earn in some fields should be addressed through a taxation system rather than through higher course fees.

The Council also held its annual elections, and is pleased to introduce the 2011 Executive:

· President: John Nowakowski, University of Sydney

· Vice-President (National Operations): Phillipa Hunter, UNSW

· Vice-President (Equity): Meghan Hopper, Monash University

· National Secretary: Joe Provenzano, Flinders University

· Treasurer: Priscilla Rogers, Monash University

· Policy and Research Advisor: Tammi Jonas, University of Melbourne

· Indigenous Peoples’ Liaison Officer: Adrian Hepi, James Cook University

2010 CAPA President Tammi Jonas was positive about the outcomes of the three days. “We are seeing new energy in postgraduate representation. CAPA has been active since 1979, and many in the sector were concerned when we shut down the office last month. However, evidence of strong financial management and the presentation of a budget that continues to support our most important resource, human capital, has instilled a great deal of optimism in the members.”

“Now it's just up to the Senate to pass the Student Services and Amenities Bill in 2011 to ensure the ongoing viability of student organisations across Australia ,” concluded Ms Jonas.

Media contact: National President Tammi Jonas, 0422 429 362