Bradley reforms likely to be staggered

The $6 billion higher education overhaul recommended by the Bradley review is expected to be staggered over several years due to the new economic reality. Education minister and acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard told radio host Alan Jones last week the government had been mugged by economic reality in the budget process. “We’re going to work through the money in the budget context, that’s obviously the financially responsible thing to do,” she said. “But we’re keen to lay out the reform direction, and I’ve been doing that, and then to deliver to the reform direction,” Gillard said. “You’ve got to work through the dollars and cents in the budget and we’re in that process now.” Gillard’s comment seemed to confirm speculation that higher education reform would fall victim to the global financial crisis. An expected surplus for 2008-09 of $17 billion has over the past year turned into a $22 billion deficit. However, Gillard said after neglect by the Howard government, universities now had “certainty” about the future. The Australian reported that the government was negotiating to stagger the timing of proposed funding increases, which would help support the government’s target of 40 per cent of 24 to 35 year olds with a degree by 2025. Gillard did recommit to a promise to reduce red tape. The NUS interpreted Gillard’s comments as a three-year delay. “After 13 years of underfunding, universities need this now – not in seven years. Students in overcrowded classrooms today will be well finished before the funds have filtered through the system,” NUS president David Barrow said. “For at least the next three years, it will be more of the same. NUS is also concerned that a staggered funding model would also be applied to student income support reforms. “An equitable deregulation of higher education would absolutely depend on a fair income support to aid student mobility and greater funding for teaching and learning and research. Without these three income streams, deregulation will mean a massive compromise of quality, equity and course diversity” Barrow said. With AAP