Australia’s public universities are likely to miss out on critical federal funding after the Morrison Government refused to extend the sector access to its $130 billion Job Keeper package.
The decision is a blow for the higher education sector, which is now Australia’s third largest export industry.
The CPSU NSW has previously written to Treasurer, Josh Frydenburg, calling for urgent federal intervention to save jobs and cushion the sector as it weathers the COVID-19 health crisis. Click HERE for a copy of our letter.
CPSU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary, Troy Wright, said “this is devastating news for our universities and unbelievably short-sighted public policy.
“In the face of globalisation, our public universities have been one of the great economic success stories of the past two decades.
“Australian universities have established a strong international reputation as providers of quality higher education, and that simply doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years to build,” Troy said.
The impact of the Federal Government’s decision will likely result in thousands of additional job losses across the country as universities downsize and cut costs, and a significant reduction in the size and capacity of our domestic higher education industry as it seek to rebuild and compete in the post pandemic global economy.
The CPSU NSW has been in contact with universities and peak industries groups in an effort to avert job losses and will continue to lobby state and federal governments for financial assistance for the sector.
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Get in touch with the CPSU NSW Member Support Centre on 1300 772 679 or contact our Branch representatives directly:
University of Sydney
Ivan Coates
University of NSW
Alister Wareing
Kate Brown
University of Technology, Sydney
Rosa Bow
Western Sydney University
Scott Pendlebury Michael Reolon
University of Newcastle
Lyn Keily
Sue Freeman
University of Wollongong
Vicki Dodd
Southern Cross University
Shelley Odewahn
Marnya Flanagan
Australian Catholic University
Richard Faulkner
Lesley Adukonu
University of New England
Jack McCaw
Charles Sturt University
John Jones
Macquarie University
Kirra Jackson
UNION IS STRENGTH!
