Universities fight it out for a crucial vote in the Senate

“Given the calamitous impact of COVID-19 on the university sector in this country and a generation of future graduates, is now the right time to foist additional change [on the sector]?”

Senator Griff’s attention is being focused on the “growth status” of South Australian universities and whether the “metropolitan” status of 1 per cent is sufficient for a state in which only 31 per cent of school leavers go to university. The national average is more than 40 per cent.

The interim vice-chancellor at the University of Adelaide, Michael Brooks, said in a state transposition to a high-tech economy South Australia needed “a more significant growth rate than the proposed 1 per cent, which would otherwise lock in disadvantage”.

Professor Brooks wants Senator Griff to hold out for a regional higher-education growth rate of 3 per cent.

He had doubts about the Jobs-ready Graduates package overall, saying it would result in the university getting 16 per cent less funding to teach science and engineering – contrary to the Prime Minister’s national priority of a STEM-related recovery.

And the 113 per cent increase in fees for studying humanities was excessive given “our graduates in these areas enjoy strong employment successes and industry values skills in these areas”.

Earlier Flinders University vice-chancellor Colin Sterling told senators “the package had some positive points and some rough edges. If the legalisation were amended to lock in the positives and smooth out the rough edges Flinders University would be able to work with it.”

Centre Alliance education spokeswoman Rebekah Sharkie said on Sunday the party had not made up its mind on the legislation.

“We’re continuing to work with our local unis and discuss ways to improve the offerings for our students,” she said.

“It’s fair to say that engagement with all – including government – has been positive so far but it will be some time before we arrive at a final position.”

Sydney University, which as one of the biggest universities stands to lose out from the effects of the package, has proposed the legislation is sent to Senate inquiry.

In the meantime, the government could spend a “modest outlay” of $34 million to achieve the same lift in enrolments the bill would otherwise have achieved in its first year.

Vice-chancellor Michael Spence told the Senate the bill was based on evidence that the government itself said should be treated with extreme caution.

“The bill is riddled with perverse effects, many of which will have a direct impact on the welfare of Australia’s young people,” he said.

“It punishes students for choosing to study the social sciences and humanities, when the best research suggests that a broad education, and many of the core skills that these disciplines offer, will most future-proof our students.

“It is skills in critical thinking, problem solving and effective oral and written communication that will be most transferable to the jobs of the fourth industrial revolution.”