Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2023

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 15 May 2015

Research ideas welcome, sustainable funding needed

Last night the leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, committed to lifting research funding to three per cent of GDP by the end of the next decade but stopped short in identifying the commensurate savings measures that would be needed to fund such a commitment.

Belinda Robinson, Chief Executive of Universities Australia said: “This is a worthy aspiration and universities welcome research being back on the policy page of ideas for driving future national prosperity.

“But what the community is also looking for is a strong and demonstrable commitment to sustainable and long-term funding for both higher education and research.”

In 2011-12, expenditure on research and development in Australia was 2.1 percent of GDP, below the OECD average of 2.3 percent. In today’s terms, meeting Labor’s target would involve an estimated additional $14 billion expenditure including $4 billion from the Australian Government.

Universities will be seeking water-tight assurances that this funding would not come at the expense of other higher education and research programs.

“We know from bitter experience that when it comes to higher education and research funding, deckchairs are more than shuffled, they are hurled overboard,” said Ms Robinson.

“Sadly, for nearly a decade, both sides of politics have promised more than they could ultimately deliver in funding higher education and research.

“It’s past time for all parties to get off the roller-coaster and commit to realistic, predictable and stable funding and policy for the long-term.

“Only then can universities get on with the job of providing the quality of education and research that our students, and the broader community expects,” said Ms Robinson.

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
11 December 2023

A migration system for the future

Universities Australia welcomes the release of the Albanese Government’s migration strategy.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
6 December 2023

Thanks to ARC CEO Judi Zielke

On behalf of the sector, we are sad to see the news of Judi Zielke’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
5 December 2023

Education surges as other exports drop

Education added a further $12.1 billion to the economy in the September quarter as it continued its strong performance despite challenging conditions affecting other key export markets.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2023
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
©2023
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2023
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index