Media Releases 2008

12 September 2008

Universities Australia supports investment in Australian innovation

Universities Australia welcomes Dr Terry Cutlers constructive report on the Review of the National Innovation System, which recognises the central role of universities and provides imaginative ideas for increasing university contributions to national innovation goals.

"Universities Australia is particularly pleased to see the prominence given to funding the full cost of university research, while not compromising application success rates," said Universities Australia Chief Executive, Dr Glenn Withers.

"We also support the recommendation to increase public investment in the university research system, including the promotion of collaboration and networking, incentives for encouraging local and global partnership, and allowing for specification of national priority areas. Universities Australia would want to see these mechanisms recognise current achievement and also provide scope to nurture and encourage potential," Dr Withers said.

Universities Australia believes human capital enhancement will help encourage Australian innovation and research. Universities would be pleased to collaborate through improved professional pathways, and through the COAG process, which should be extended to better incorporate improved federal-state coordination for higher education," Dr Withers said.

"Universities would wish to be key contributors to a new National Innovation Council, as they are to the work of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council," Dr Withers said.

"Student income support is an area where Universities Australia has long lobbied government, so the recommendation to increase the amount and length of the Australian Postgraduate Award stipend (APA) is welcome. Statistics show the APA stipend has been increasingly falling below the minimum wage for over a decade," Dr Withers said.

"Immediate and increased public investment in research and innovation is of great importance to the future of Australia. The return on quality investment in innovation allows the nation to be more flexible and productive. It leads to better long-term economic outcomes that allow us to meet Australias goals and commitments," Dr Withers said.

Universities Australia will be providing a detailed response after considering the full report in detail.

-ENDS-

Attachment Fact Sheet: - APA stipends and the minimum wage

Media Inquiries Rebecca Harris – phone: (02) 6285 8106 or 0400 1666911