With the Accord to come lobbies worked with what they didn’t get last night

The Group of Eight, stated, the Budget has “focused on relieving cost-of-living pressure as it should …  The Go8 will work closely with the government to ensure we have the skilled workforce and world class researchers the nation needs to meet our national priorities and protect our national security,” chief executive Vicki Thomson said.

The Innovative Research Universities acknowledged the Austudy increase but  added, “further reforms will be required through the Universities Accord process for a more equitable and innovative university system.”

Universities Australia said similar, “the budget strikes a balance between cost-of-living relief and fiscal repair” but chief Catriona Jackson could not resist, “this is a good start, but greater support for universities would make the task of building a better economic future for all Australians easier.”

It was left to Academy of Science president Chennupati Jagadish to say, wbat many probably thought, “The Academy welcomes the ongoing support for Australian science and research in (the budget) however Australia’s overall investment in science remains lamentable.”

Overall the Australian Technology Network’s Harlene Hayne (Curtin U VC) presented the peak pragmatism that shaped responses. “This is a considered budget that targets urgent areas of need; it boosts income support for students; provides additional university places and breaks down barriers for anyone wanting to get a university education. This is a crucial down payment on building a fairer go and providing the ability for people to participate in our economy.”

And Paddy Nixon (VC, Uni Canberra) put a time-limit on the pragmatic patience, for the IRU, “with existing government funding reaching an important deadline at the end of 2023, interim measures should be put in place for 2024, while the Accord recommendations are finalised and incorporated into the process for the 2024-25 budget.”