With a Morrison majority confirmed in the Reps higher education leaders offered polite congratulations and then got back to business

UA’s agenda: In her first public statement as Universities Australia chair Deborah Terry congratulated the prime minister, and acknowledged education minister Dan Tehan’s, “deep passion for educational opportunity for young people from regional Australia in particular.” She went on to explain the need for more student places and research funding.

The Go8 make it plain: The Group of Eight was brief in congratulating and longer in explaining what its members, and thus all Australians need. “Our priorities do not change – a focus on research, international engagement and a post-secondary education system that provides the workforce for our times, Executive Director Vicki Thomson said.

Scientists seek a hearing: The Australian Academy of Science was less in the prime ministerial mug, reminding him of its splendid ideas on important issues and asking for a seat at the policy table. “We look forward to meeting with the government to discuss science, research and technology priorities,” said president John Shine.

While high tech is highly realistic: Peak lobby Science and Technology Australia actually acknowledged what happened on the weekend; “re-election gives the coalition a mandate to continue their work in setting a clear and strategic direction for the STEM sector.” President Emma Johnston (UNSW) added the government’s 2017 science statement was “a good first step” and had one specific ask, a translational research fund, to match the MRFF for non-medical disciplines.