August 29, 2018
The Group of Eight (Go8) which represents Australia’s eight leading-research universities, cautiously supports the intent of the Business Council of Australia’s Future Proof proposal for the reform of Australia’s post-secondary education and training sector.
“Its release definitely reinforces the Go8’s strong stance that a comprehensive review of Australia’s postsecondary education system is overdue,” says Vicki Thomson Go8 Chief Executive.
“The Go8 acknowledges the substantial work of the BCA, and its paper is an important contribution to the future discussion on post-secondary education. It is valuable in that it highlights issues that need to be addressed by such a review,” said Ms Thomson.
“Of course there are elements of the BCA paper with which the Go8 does not agree, and where we think proposals require further development,” she said. “The Go8 would be pleased to engage with the BCA on those. But importantly we clearly have a range of areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on the future work environment and we both seek substantial improvements to, and surety in, the policy environment for postsecondary education.
“As our Go8 Chair has noted – ‘if we truly believe education is a tool for bringing prosperity and equality to our world, we must make it as accessible as possible’. That means a post-secondary sector which has a high-quality and robust vocational education and training sector, and University sector. It is pleasing to see that the BCA also
support this. The Go8 will not, however, stand for either sector being undermined or further destabilised; we must be more than the sum of our parts, not less.”
Ms Thomson said the Go8 urged the new Minister of Education to deliver on the commitments of his predecessor and they relate to reviews of provider categories and the Qualifications Framework as a key element to the holistic review the Go8 sees as essential.
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155
