AVCC: Universities forgotten in "Great Education Debate". (September 22, 2004)

    Following the "debate" last Wednesday at the National Press Club between the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, and the deputy leader of the Labor Party and Shadow Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Jenny Macklin the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee through its CEO John Mullarvey issued a media release bitterly complaining, "It is a real pity that the Government and the Opposition seem focussed on October 9 rather than on the long-term agenda for Australia’s future. It is a sad indictment on our society when higher education becomes lost in the 'Great Education Debate'"

To concentrate on one sector with barely a mention of the other, is of deep concern to the AVCC. Universities were given only the scantest mention at today’s address and only as a conciliatory gesture at the conclusion of the debate.

    There are still considerable issues outstanding as a result of the passage of the Higher Education Support Act in December last year, and the AVCC is continuing to negotiate with the Government to have amendments made to the Act.
    There is concern across the sector about Labor’s proposed roll-back of the higher education reforms, and Vice-Chancellors are continuing their push to have Labor fully enunciate their intentions should they win power on October 9.

    Higher education cannot be forgotten during this election campaign – it is integral to the future economic growth and welfare of Australia.

There's more in the AVCC media release but the fact is that the AVCC and the higher education sector as a whole are certainly partly to blame for the apathy shown by federal parliamentary leaders towards upgrading the higher education sector. Not until the voting public becomes convinced of the importance of a top class university system for their well being and that of their children because of its effect on the nation's economic and cultural well being will the parliamentarians be moved. To say that to date higher education has made a hash of putting its arguments before the public is a gross understatement.

The time for seeking professional help in how to put their case to the public is long overdue.