Deakin Speaking

The federal government has released the discussion paper that will underpin the arrangements for funding for universities for the immediate future.  Mission-Based Compacts for Universities: a Framework for Discussion (http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Pages/Compacts.aspx)

The arrangements that result from compact agreements will have far reaching effects on individual institutions and on the Australian higher education sector as a whole.

The discussion paper is comprehensive in terms of the areas covered and issues raised. 

It is particularly pleasing to see maters of transparency, duration of compacts and, in particular, consequences for failing to meet compact commitments raised.  Without consequences for non-compliance, the whole exercise will be a waste of time and money, not to mention an insult to the intelligence of the Australian people.