For Whatever Reason, Sanity has Prevailed -- $200m Back in the Pot. (June 11, 2010)

Two days ago  The Australian reported that according to Dr Glenn Withers, Executive Director of Universities Australia, the government is short changing the education revolution through measures such as deferring $200 million worth of grants under the Education Investment Fund until 2013-14, which it euphemistically refers to as reprofiling. Therefore, its actual funding commitment is only for the coming financial year.

Today the broadsheet reports that the $200 million "Infrastructure money [has been] put back in the pot" returning the amount available to its original $550m, and Dr Withers is relieved: "Universities were becoming quite concerned at delays in specific funding announcements, and at reductions in the available quantum for infrastructure funding through the EIF. This eliminates both of those concerns and puts infrastructure funding back on track. The pay-off from higher education for skills and innovation for sustainable economic growth will be advanced by these decisions.''

Specific funding allocations are being announced on a state by state basis. So far Western Australia is to receive $105.5 million of the additional funding:

• $34 million for the University of Western Australia's Ocean Marine Research Centre.

• $47.3 million to CSIRO for geothermal and solar energy projects associated with Australia's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope.

• $24.2 million to Perth's Pilbara and Central TAFEs.

While four New South Wales institutions will receive:

• $50 million toward construction of a new Interactive Learning Environment at UTS (total cost $230m).

• $40 million for a new Australian Institute for Nanoscience at the University of Sydney.

• $25.1 million to retrofit for Resilient and Sustainable Buildings at the University of Wollongong.

• $16.86 million for a major refurbishment of the AutoCell Transport Technology Centre at the Sydney Institute of TAFE NSW.