Universities Australia has called on the Morrison Government to reinstate demand driven funding of undergraduate places in the budget.

“The demand-driven system (DDS) has been key to ensuring all Australians with the capability to undertake a university education had the opportunity to do so. The introduction of the DDS saw an increase across the board in students from under-represented groups … now that the DDS has effectively ended, it is unclear how such diversity and opportunity will be supported into the future,” the lobby states.

UA also calls for restoration of the $328m December cut in block grant funding for research infrastructure and act on calls for a premium rate to apply for industry-uni collaboration under the R&D Tax Incentive scheme.

No faulting UA for optimism, or efficiency. If there is no joy in the budget the ask can be re-issued for the election.