The amended bill boosts the ATEC鈥檚 independence, improves resourcing and sharpens its focus on research.
黑料老司机 Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said the ATEC would play an important role in bringing long-term coordination and stability to higher education.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always supported the ATEC, and we pushed for stronger legislation to ensure it can deliver for the sector and the nation,鈥 Mr Sheehy said.
鈥淭his bill is better than where it started. The changes secured through Parliament give the ATEC greater independence, better resourcing and a clearer focus on research.
鈥淲e thank the government for engaging in good faith and crossbenchers for working closely with us to strengthen the legislation.
鈥淏ut a key piece is missing. The decision not to allow the ATEC to advise on student contributions is disappointing.
鈥淚t leaves a critical gap in the ATEC鈥檚 remit and sends a clear signal that the government is not yet prepared to fix the Job-ready Graduates package.
鈥淛RG is punishing students with $50,000+ degrees and ripping close to a billion dollars a year out of universities.
鈥淟abor campaigned against it in opposition but is kicking the can down the road in government.
鈥淲ithout addressing student contributions, we risk entrenching the very funding challenges the sector is trying to solve.
鈥淲e urge the government to make this a priority in this term of government.
鈥淎ustralia鈥檚 universities look forward to engaging constructively with the ATEC and its commissioners to design and implement the long-term reforms universities need to support students, drive innovation and lift productivity and living standards.鈥
