The Group of Eight (Go8), Australia’s leading research intensive universities, says NXT has placed Australian students high in the list of priorities for delivering Australia a strong economic future.
“NXT withstanding unrelenting pressure from the Government to take a strong and ethical stand against the worst elements of the Government’s education funding legislation, means Australia’s students and universities are not now subjected to punishing increases in student fees and loan repayment schedules, nor funding cuts to course and research delivery which would have seen students paying more for less,” says Vicki Thomson Go8 Chief Executive.
Ms Thomson said the poorly designed and punitive legislation included the worst funding cuts to universities in 20 years and its fine print hurt the low socio-economic students who need support the most. “Ironically, South Australia, the Education Minister’s home state, was the State placed most at risk. With that State’s three universities being the State’s largest employer outside of the public service, hundreds of jobs have been saved by the NXT stance.”
Ms Thomson said much more was to come as the Universities – with NXT involvement – now looked to work positively with Government on the design of a comprehensive review of the post-secondary education sector, including teaching and research funding and students charges. “We wholeheartedly support such a review.”
Media contact: Vicki Thomson Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155