“the system is not broken, however if current trends continue it will become less diverse and less representative of the community,” the Innovative Research Universities make their Accord submission politically impossible to ignore

The IRU makes a case for more of pretty much what is in the spirit of the existing public university system. Recommendations include;

* “address equity” through mission-based individual uni accords

* replace the previous government’s Job Ready Graduates model with a two-tiered HELP rate and a three-tiered government contribution

* increase research block grants, “to cover the research mission of all universities”

* broaden research commercialisation programmes with funding for engagement and collaboration with “public and community sectors”

* a body to “take a system-wide view of university research and innovation and to support informed analysis and collaboration across different parts of government”

* funding to “improve outcomes” for Indigenous students and 5 per cent of Australian Research Council funding to Indigenous researchers

And then there is one that will appeal to officialdom,

“Institution-specific mission-based Accord agreements should be the primary basis for allocating public funding to universities in-line with agreed priorities, with universities reporting publicly on outcomes and impact.”