Australia needs more skills and innovation than ever before, reinforcing the critical role our universities must play in both seizing and solving nationally and globally significant opportunities and problems.

The interim ATEC has an important role to play in providing independent advice to government and driving sector reform to ensure our universities have the settings and support they need in this task.

These appointments are timely and will ensure the interim ATEC can continue its work while the Parliament deliberates its future. For a permanent ATEC to succeed, it must be independent of government, properly resourced and its work underpinned and driven by quality data.

UA congratulates Professor Glover, Professor Calma and Ms Nash on their appointments and we look forward to working with them on reforms that deliver real outcomes for universities and our nation.

We also thank inaugural commissioners Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO whose terms concluded at the end of last year. They both played a significant role in helping establish the interim ATEC and we are grateful for their support and engagement.