Response to Budget

The University of Queensland (UQ) welcomes measures in the Budget that will deliver urgently needed funds to the higher education sector. The injection of additional finances to enhance teaching is long overdue. However, the impact of these additional resources will not be felt immediately.

Additional funding, particularly in the short-term, will come from individual students who will be able to access Government loans. This raises important concerns relating to equity and access – UQ will be mindful of these issues as it adjusts to the changed environment.

The University also welcomes the announcement of greater flexibility for universities in the setting of fees for many undergraduate courses. Universities will also be able to admit a greater number of full fee-paying students. UQ has been a late entrant into the full fee-paying undergraduate market and does not expect a dramatic change in these enrolments in the short-term.

The Government intends to tie future funding allocations with reforms it expects universities to make, for example, with respect to governance. It has singled out the need for governing bodies to be trimmed to a maximum of 18 members. The University of Queensland Senate comprises 35 members, and while this is a large body, its members work in an unpaid capacity and provide invaluable voluntary service to the University. The outstanding position that UQ has achieved in the Australian higher education sector has been greatly assisted by the contribution of our governing body.

There is widespread recognition in Australia that our research infrastructure is failing, and that the funds available are not keeping pace with the requirements for replacement, or for the escalating cost of leading-edge infrastructure. It was therefore disappointing to see that there was little new in the Government’s statement on research, other than to announce the creation of a taskforce.

With regard to international students, the University welcomes greater support for the promotion of Australia as an education destination. We also welcome the announcement of additional loans for Australian students wishing to study off-shore as part of their study programs.

Professor Paul Greenfield
Acting Vice-Chancellor
The University of Queensland