But the Innovative Research Universities continues to call for amendments

In a brief to MPs and senators IRU argues, “the current university funding system cannot continue” because it will not cover the cost of teaching more students and the legislation, “would put a long-term floor under government support for universities.”

This is a stronger version of the IRU’s previous position, that it “supports the need for the package overall,” (CMM August 18).

But the IRU is adamant about amendments the legislation needs, repeating its previous proposals for; capping the cost of business and HASS courses for students at the existing HELP scheme ceiling and/or dropping the plan for lower government funding for STEM (and other) student places. Universities now use this revenue e to help pay for labs and equipment.

IRU also repeats its demand that the government drop, “the needless burden of new university accountability measures.” These are billed by the government as “student protection” measures but the lobby argues they do not apply to universities, being “designed to prevent negative marketing behaviours in some VET and private higher education providers.”