Lean uni budget prompts arts stoush

Last week Chris Evans hinted this could be VET’s year, as far as budget allocations are concerned. And Victoria has beaten the Commonwealth to the punch, with a budget that all but ignores universities In what could be a foretaste of this week’s federal budget, Victoria was uncharacteristically ungenerous to its universities in last week’s state budget. And the only substantial handout, a $24 million allocation to the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), has caused a stoush over state arts funding. The budget pledged $6 million for each of the next four years to help fund the VCA Foundation, upgrades to equipment and infrastructure and scholarships for outstanding students. The vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne, which hosts the VCA, said the grants would help guarantee the institution’s future. “This substantial investment in the arts, through education and training, gives us a chance to build a future for the VCA based on a depth of practice,” said Professor Glyn Davis. “It means stability and longevity of service to Victoria and the nation for future generations of young artists.” But University of Ballarat vice-chancellor Professor David Battersby criticised the government for overlooking Ballarat’s “modest request” of $1.5 million for its own arts facility. “UB’s Arts Academy is the only institution of its kind located in regional Australia and the only tertiary-level institution to integrate academic and vocational arts training,” Battersby said. “Arts Academy talent has been recognised through the Cannes Film Festival, an Archibald Prize, Australia Council Individual Visual Arts awards, through stage and TV performances, and in galleries and collections across the country and around the world. We are taken aback that a state government which seeks to highlight its regional credentials has not seen fit to provide support to the premier arts training facility in regional Victoria – if not regional Australia.” A Skills Victoria representative indicated Ballarat’s Arts Academy would benefit from other initiatives. The budget included a $4 million “regional arts transformation” to strengthen the arts in the regions by promoting “high-quality arts projects” in smaller towns, and boosting regional touring programs. The VCA grants will also help fund a regional training program. Outside the VCA, the budget offered practically nothing to universities – despite Victoria’s reputation as arguably the most generous state funder of universities. The budget allocated $2 million to plan a rail link that passes through Monash University. And the Geelong Manufacturing Council has also been allocated $800,000 to provide opportunities for Deakin University postgraduates to target their research to practical industry-based applications for local manufacturers. The budget also provides $2 million to promote Victoria as an international education destination through the "Victoria – Leader in Learning" banner, which includes community safety policies. Almost $4 million has been allocated to the International Student Care Service, which provides a 24-hour contact point for international students in need of advice or help.