Media Release
LABOR MAKES A WELCOME CONTRIBUTION TO DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE
OF HIGHER EDUCATION
23 June, 2002 MIN 100/02
The shadow spokesperson for education, appearing on Channel Nine’s
Sunday programme, has made a surprising, but welcome,
contribution to the debate about the future of higher education.
Laurie Oaks: "Do you disagree with the Vice-Chancellors and
with Dr Brendan Nelson that the one-size-fits-all funding model for
universities is not an appropriate way to approach the future?"
Jenny Macklin: I do think that it's worth talking about, having
different universities focus on their strengths. I do think that we
have in fact the elements of that already in many of our
universities. I was up at James Cook, not long ago, up in
Townsville. They're a world class university when it comes to marine
science, for example. And you could have different instances of that
around the country. So, we do need to make sure that our
universities are able to focus on their strengths.
Whilst I have not decided the shape of the policy package which I
will take to the Government for consideration at the end of the
year, specialisation is an area which demands careful thought.
However Labor must make more of an effort to rise above some of
its worn, and increasingly unbelievable, rhetoric if it is to be a
taken seriously.
As Laurie Oaks also said to Jenny Macklin this morning:
Laurie Oaks: "Why do you have a closed mind though on the
idea of funding flexibility? I mean, as long as the system allows
poor, bright kids to get into universities, as long as there is a
scholarship scheme and a loans scheme, why shouldn't there be
flexibility?"
Jenny Macklin ignored the question.
Laurie Oaks might also have asked Jenny Macklin if Labor is
implacably opposed to Universities providing courses to fee paying
domestic students, why has Ms Macklin raised no objection to last
week’s announcement by the Victorian Labor Government that
Victorian TAFE colleges will be providing courses to full fee paying
domestic students - without a loans scheme?
The Higher Education Review is about the long term future of this
country. Jenny Macklin will be serving all our interests if she can
rise above Labor’s class-war responses and engage in constructive
debate.
For further information:
Dr Nelson’s office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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