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Awaiting the budget
9 May 2009
The whole sector awaits the Federal Budget announcements next week with a level of interest that I have never previously encountered.
On the one hand, in favour of renewed investment in higher education : the comprehensive Bradley Report, the Cutler Report on research and innovation, the Ellis Report on student amenities, Universities Australia’s Report from KPMG on the value of higher education; Graduate Careers Council reaffirming the power of a degree in job-getting. All these, and more, underscoring the need to realize the political pledge to an ‘education revolution’.
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence that universities possess unique capacities to help extricate us from the global financial crisis, there is the equally overwhelming scale of the projected budget deficit, seemingly dashing the optimism of major investment expectations of only a year ago.
For a Federal government so obviously committed to higher education renewal and advancement, the crisis must be as devastating to them as it is to us in the sector. The frustration and disappointment is everywhere, and no one doubts the need for budget compromises being a necessity.
Minister Gillard is an inspirational speaker when she conveys her belief in the power of higher education, so to have her hands tied so tightly behind her back on funding, must be particularly difficult for someone who has so clearly articulated the need for change and investment.
In the circumstances, let’s hope there’s at least a start to the re-investment in higher education in next week’s budget, along with a clear articulation on how this is to be ramped up in the years ahead. We want to come out of this recession running not crippled and that necessitates help that all universities warrant.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of the Sunshine Coast.