Extract from ABC News
Updated
Regional universities are hoping the Senate kills off
the most radical aspects of the Abbott Government's higher education
plans.
Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne has been
touring several regional campuses this week to spruik the Coalition's
reforms.Mr Pyne was hoping the trip would dispel any doubts. But some vice-chancellors still are not completely sold on the changes.
The Abbott Government plans to give universities the freedom to set student fees, as part of its higher education overhaul.
But regional universities say their city counterparts get the better deal.
Charles Sturt University vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann says the big institutions in the city will charge the most, giving them more money for research and more for scholarships to attract the best and brightest.
"We would expect that advantage would accrue more to the Group of Eight (Go8) universities than regionals," he said.
"Price is much more to do with the ability of students to pay, than the cost of delivering services.
"The tendency is for there to be more low SES (socio-economic status) students in the regional universities than in the metropolitan ones."
The Coalition is trying to garner more public support for its package before it tries to push it through the Senate.
Mr Pyne's tour included university campuses in Mackay, Townsville, Lismore, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.
"The very reason why I've travelled throughout rural and regional Australia this week is to dispel doubt that people might have because the more information I can provide to them, the more they understand the genuine opportunity these reforms present," he said.
Reforms may deter poor country students: regional universities
Mr Pyne insists regional universities can be the big winners from the reforms.He says they specialise in the degrees they do well and undercut city institutions on price in other areas.
"They'll be able to promote their sub-bachelor degrees, like diplomas and associate degrees, that have previously been capped," he said.
"They'll compete with metropolitan universities on cost of living, on lifestyle and using the Commonwealth Scholarship Fund to put packages together that attract students to their institutions."
Regional universities say the Government's plans will give them more flexibility and some good opportunities.
But they worry that poor country students will be put off by much higher fees, they are opposed to the proposed increase in the interest rate on student debt and concerned about the new Commonwealth scholarships.
Central Queensland University vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman says he had talks with the Minister about the positives and negatives of the Coalition's plans.
"I think he listened and I think he'll take some of our ideas from this university forward as he deliberates the reforms he really pushes for," Professor Bowman said.
With Labor, the Greens and Clive Palmer opposed to many of the measures, the Government will have to make concessions to pass its bills.
Several regional vice-chancellors, like Professor Peter Lee from Southern Cross University, are hoping the Senate makes parts of the reforms fairer.
"Of course we don't like the 20 per cent cut to our bottom line. Universities have taken, I think, an unfair hit," he said.
Mr Pyne says he is taking all the concerns on board.
But he is still quietly confident he can win the crossbenchers over without making too many major changes.
"I intend to do whatever I can to ensure they have all the information at their fingertips and I think most of these reforms will pass," he said.
- Christopher Pyne announces CSU will 'thrive' in deregulated university market
- Education Minister says Southern Cross University will flourish under deregulation
- Fee deregulation to hurt rural students
- Rural students let down by university access
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- Regional university concerned about uncapped fees
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