Opposition pans Labor’s silence on ‘pipedream’ university review

The Coalition has criticised Labor for failing to make any commitments in response to its university review, declaring that the sector deserved more than a ‘pipedream of promises’.

Senator Sarah Henderson. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson has criticised Labor for failing to make any commitments in response to its university review, declaring the sector deserved more than a “pipedream of promises” that would cost billions of dollars to deliver.

Senator Henderson said Education Minister Jason Clare’s response to the Universities Acc­ord review had been “disapp­ointing and raises many more questions than answers”, accusing him of inaction since the report was handed to him.

The major review into the higher-education sector sets an ambitious reform agenda, including doubling the number of university places in the next 25 years, reducing the burden of HECS student loans and introducing new targets to increase enrolments of Indigenous and disadvantaged students.

“Education Minister Jason Clare has been sitting on the report for two months but has delivered no plan or priorities for Australian universities,” Senator Henderson said.

“While the report proposes a long-term blueprint for reform, the Albanese government must provide the higher-education sector with the certainty it deserves, not a pipedream of promises. The report’s recommend­ations would cost many billions of dollars to implement.”

Senator Henderson also attacked the government for failing to act on escalating student debts and lacking a plan to support disadvantaged students.

“Lifting tertiary education attainment rates is vitally important, particularly for disadvantag­ed students and those from reg­ional, rural and remote areas,” she said. “But where is Labor’s plan to support students who cannot afford to move to a large city to study or even find a place to live, made worse by Labor’s immigration mess?”.

Greens education spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi praised the review for pushing for the scrapping of student fee reforms introduced under the Coalition government, and recommendations to provide more financial support to students.

Education Minister Jason Clare. Picture: James Dowling/The Australian

The controversial student contribution package increased the price of arts and law degrees to as much as $16,000 a year, while slashing the price of in-demand degrees, including teaching and nursing.

“Recommendations to scrap the terrible (Job-ready Graduates) scheme, and address placement poverty and income support for students is a win for all of us who have been fighting for these much-needed changes,” Senator Faruqi said. “The Accord should be the starting point of a transformative approach that truly re-imagines higher education built on equity and democracy, in action, not just in words.”

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said he supported the review’s focus on developing the skills needed to fill future gaps.

“If we are to take advantage of the jobs of the future, continue to drive long-term prosperity and turn around our failing productivity rates, we need a higher-education sector that is agile and responsive to what our skills gaps are now and will be in the future,” he said.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said “a dynamic, high-quality and sustainable post-secondary education sector is essential for meeting skills demand”.