Category: News
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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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Opening statement: PJCIS Review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026
Opening statement to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) Public Hearing for the Committee’s Review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive, The Group of Eight Let me be very clear at the outset. The Go8 supports this…
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Opening statement: PJCIS Review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026
Opening statement to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) Public Hearing for the Committee’s Review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive, The Group of Eight Let me be very clear at the outset. The Go8 supports this…
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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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Go8 submission to the Review of Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security The Go8 consents to the publication of this submission and has no wish for any of it to be treated as confidential. The Group of Eight (Go8) supports measures that protect and advance Australia’s national interest, including economic prosperity, national security, sovereign capability…
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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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Debate@Go8 Mini: Anders Henriksen – Leading European expert on research security at Monash Prato
Great conversation with Anders Henriksen – former Head of Counterintelligence at the Danish Intelligence and Security Service (ASIS) and a leading European expert on research security.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: EABC Mission 2026 – Wrap up with the EABC’s Brendan O’Connor and Jason Collins
And that’s a wrap! Go8 CE Vicki Thomson – who is also Co-Chair of the European Australian Business Council (EABC) – gives us a wrap-up of this year’s EABC Mission to Europe along with the Hon. Brendan O’Connor, also EABC Co-Chair and EABC CEO Jason Collins.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – David Gall, CEO, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation.
What a great place for a conversation about R&D and innovation with David Gall, CEO of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation – the Helsinki Shipyards!
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Peter Halliday, CEO, Siemens Australia & New Zealand
Back on the European Australian Business Council (EABC) Mission to Europe bus, Go8 CE Vicki Thomson caught up with Peter Halliday, CEO of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, and EABC board member.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Professor Bronwyn Fox AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, UNSW
Go8 CE Vicki Thomson chats with Professor Bronwyn Fox AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at the University of NSW on a bus in Helsinki during the 2026 EABC Mission to Europe.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – H.E. Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia
Vicki caught up with H.E. Gabriele Visentin, European Union Ambassador to Australia, outside NATO HQ during the 2026 European Australian Business Council (EABC) Mission to Europe.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Professor Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor, Manchester University
Just before kicking off the 2026 EABC Mission to Europe, Go8 CE Vicki Thomson had a really great chat with Professor Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester IN Manchester.
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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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Debate@Go8 – Episode 55 – Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, European Commission
We examine the importance of Australia’s imminent association to the world’s largest research and innovation programme with the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator for Horizon Europe, Maria Cristina Russo – the Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Recorded June 2026.
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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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Report: Go8 Expert Advisory Committee on Combatting Antisemitism (EACCA)
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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Go8 submission to the inquiry into the factors driving educational attainment
House Standing Committee on Education The Group of Eight (Go8) universities provide a high-quality education and are focused on strong student outcomes – ensuring students do not just get a foot in the door but are set up to succeed both during and after university. Educational attainment is not created…
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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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Go8 submission to the Senate inquiry into Australian university graduates
Senate Education and Employment References Committee The Group of Eight (Go8) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry. However, we challenge the underlying premise that our graduates are broadly unsuccessful, our internationally recognised universities are failing them. Framing the issue as a widespread crisis does a disservice to students,…