Group of Eight Releases its Pre-Election Submission to the Coalition. (August 19, 2013)

The Group of Eight's (Go8) pre-election submission to the Liberal/National Coalition states: "there will need to be a shift in approaches not only to regulation, but also to policy formulation, data management, quality assurance and infrastructure support... An online advisory group, consisting of representatives of the the higher education sector and strategic sectors of the economy, could provide initial advice to government on how to accomplish this shift."

The Go8 considers it essential that government assist the higher education sector in making best use of the increasing internationalisation of the tertiary sector being supported by the rapid international upgrading of internet digital communication: "There is a role for Government in supporting development of effective partnerships and platforms, consistent with its longstanding commitment to generic support for Australian international education."

According to The Australian's Andrew Trounson the submission states that innovative online technology will enhance traditional on-campus learning and allow for more "student-directed" learning that was previously only associated with the "elite higher education settings of the past." The efficiencies to be gained, such as by universities collaborating online to deliver generic introductory courses, will allow universities to further invest in the quality of learning. But the submission says the widespread adoption of constantly evolving online technology will bring costs as wells as savings, and suggests that the Structural Adjustment Fund could be used to help university develop platforms.