Category: Media Releases and Statements
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Media release: Universities Accord legislation delivers for student choice, transparency and institutional autonomy
The passage of the latest Universities Accord legislation is an important step forward for students, ensuring universities can better respond to student demand while strengthening transparency and accountability across Australia’s higher education system. The Go8 has consistently argued that Australia’s higher education system should support student aspiration and choice, rather…
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Media release: Australia must compete for global research talent, not deter it
The Coalition’s migration policy requires careful examination. However, the evidence suggests international student numbers are already falling under current policy settings. Latest Department of Home Affairs data shows higher education visa applications are down 9 per cent compared with last year, while visa grants have fallen 17 per cent. Group…
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Media release: Australia’s research-intensive universities hold ground in shifting global research landscape
Australia’s performance in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 demonstrates the ongoing strength of the nation’s research-intensive universities, with all six Australian institutions ranked in the global top 100 belonging to the Group of Eight(Go8). Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the results reflected the quality…
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Media release: Intergenerational Report: Go8 universities central to Australia’s future prosperity
The 2026 Intergenerational Report reinforces that Australia’s future prosperity will increasingly depend on research, innovation and advanced skills. As population growth slows and artificial intelligence (AI) and clean energy reshape the economy, the nation’s research-intensive universities will be central to driving productivity, building sovereign capability and ensuring Australia remains competitive…
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Media release: Migration policy recognises the essential role of international PhDs in building national capability
The Australian Government’s nuanced approach to managing international student numbers will help ensure our leading research-intensive universities maintain a pipeline of high-quality talented researchers from around the world. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “By providing exceptions for families of international PhD students seeking to study in Australia,…
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Media release: Allies in Excellence showcases Australia-US research partnerships driving innovation, security and prosperity
Australia’s world-leading research partnerships with the United States are delivering breakthroughs in health, technology, defence, space and environmental sustainability, according to the Group of Eight’s flagship publication, Allies in Excellence, launched at the Australian Embassy in Washington. Produced to coincide with the 2026 Go8 delegation to the United States, Allies…
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Media statement on Migration Policy – from Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson
International education is not a political plaything. Australia should absolutely have strong standards and clear rules. But repeated proposals to slash international student numbers send the wrong message to the very people we say we want to attract. The reality is that not all international education is the same. Australia’s…
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Media release: Go8 mission strengthens Australia-US innovation alliance as ANZUS marks 75 years
As Australia and the United States mark the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, the Go8 is leading a high-level delegation to strengthen research and innovation partnerships in the technologies that will underpin future economic prosperity, sovereign capability and national security. Australia and the United States confront a far more…
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Media release: Go8 supports national-interest reforms that strengthen security without weakening international collaboration
The Group of Eight (Go8) supports reforms to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (FAS) that strengthen Australia’s national interest while preserving the international research partnerships that underpin economic growth, sovereign capability and national resilience. Australia faces a rapidly evolving strategic environment, and regulatory frameworks must adapt accordingly. Reforms should be targeted…
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Media release: Go8 supports national-interest reforms that strengthen security without weakening international collaboration
The Group of Eight (Go8) supports reforms to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (FAS) that strengthen Australia’s national interest while preserving the international research partnerships that underpin economic growth, sovereign capability and national resilience. Australia faces a rapidly evolving strategic environment, and regulatory frameworks must adapt accordingly. Reforms should be targeted…
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Media release: ARC review underscores the need for increased R&D investment
The Australian Research Council National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) review is a significant contribution to the future of Australia’s research system and reflects many of the priorities advanced by the Group of Eight (Go8) throughout the consultation process. Its recognition of the value of early-stage research, support for Indigenous research…
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Media release: Go8 supports stronger university governance and action against racism
The Group of Eight (Go8) supports the Australian Government’s ambition to strengthen governance standards across the university sector and take action against racism. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Australia’s leading research-intensive universities recognise their responsibility to maintain public trust and confidence while fostering safe, inclusive and respectful campus environments.…
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Media release: Positive signal for international education undermined by record student visa fees
Holding the migration program (National Planning Level) at 295,000 in 2027 is a significant and welcome decision. It sends an important signal that the Australian Government recognises the economic, workforce and national interest value of international students. It acknowledges that international education is not simply an export industry, but a…
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Media release: Supporting Australia’s national interest through trusted global engagement
The Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026 introduced into the Parliament today contains several welcome measures to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden on universities while maintaining appropriate oversight of international engagement. The proposed reforms streamline notification requirements, simplify assessments of institutional autonomy, and remove approval requirements for…
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Media release: Australia prices itself further out of the global talent market
Australia already charges the highest student visa fees in the world. A further 25 per cent increase does not simply add to the cost of studying here – it entrenches Australia’s position as the most expensive destination for international students. The decision comes at precisely the wrong time. Australia is…
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Media release: Go8 achieves historic results in QS World University Rankings 2027
The QS World University Rankings 2027 ranking reinforces Australia’s reputation as a leading research nation with exceptional world‑class institutions. Australia’s research-intensive universities have delivered one of the nation’s strongest ever performances in the QS World University Rankings 2027, underscoring their global standing even as national investment declines. Australia has delivered…
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Media statement: Expert Advisory Committee on Combatting Antisemitism Report
The Group of Eight (Go8) Board has received the final report of the Expert Advisory Committee on Combatting Antisemitism (EACCA) and will carefully review the report and its recommendations. We recognise the work of Dr Alan Finkel AC and the committee members to deliver this report. The Go8 is deeply…
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Media release: Horizon Europe: from global partnerships to real outcomes for Australians
The conclusion of treaty negotiations for Australia to associate to Horizon Europe is a major milestone for the nation’s research and innovation sector – but its value will be measured in what it delivers for Australians. The Australian Government’s decision to fast-track association to Horizon Europe to 2027 puts Australia…
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Media statement: strong ATEC leadership creates opportunity to advance higher education reform
The Group of Eight (Go8) acknowledges the appointment of Professor Barney Glover AO as Chief Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, alongside a highly experienced group of Commissioners. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Professor Glover brings deep sector knowledge and a strong track record of leadership across Australian…
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Media statement: University Report Card Sectoral Assessment
The Group of Eight takes the Craven report seriously. Any suggestion that universities are not doing enough to protect students and staff from harassment, intimidation or hate must be treated with urgency. Australia’s leading research universities accept that responsibility does not end with policy statements. It rests on what happens…
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Joint statement: Budget takes a positive first step on productivity
The Alliance of Industry Associations described measures in the Federal Budget as positive first steps on productivity reform, while calling for further action to deliver sustained cost of living relief for households and businesses. The Alliance, representing around 30 industry groups from a broad cross-section of Australia’s economy, has previously…
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Media release: Budget delivers new horizon for Australian researchers
The 2026-27 Budget measure to provision funding for association to the world’s largest research fund, Horizon Europe, will secure Australia’s position as a global research powerhouse, and marks a new era for the nation’s research and innovation sector. This represents a nation building and strategic investment in Australia’s economic security,…
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Opening statement: Senate Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025 Inquiry
Opening statement to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Inquiry by Dr Matthew Brown, Deputy Chief Executive, The Group of Eight Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee on behalf of the Group of Eight and to make a short opening statement. The Go8 educates nearly 80,000…
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Joint media release: Business leaders call for 25% red tape reduction amid rising costs
Nearly 30 groups representing small, medium and large businesses, and universities, that employ millions of Australians, are calling on all governments to cut regulatory costs by 25 per cent to help consumers and businesses amid surging costs caused by the Middle East war. The Alliance of Industry Associations, which represents…