The Federal Government's review of higher education is a golden opportunity to reshape the sector after almost a decade of policy vandalism, according to the National Tertiary Education Union.
Education Minister Jason Clare has announced a panel, led by Professor Mary O'Kane AC, tasked with the biggest review of higher education since the Bradley Review almost 15 years ago.
NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes welcomed the announcement.
"This review should be a critical step in addressing major challenges facing our sector after the appalling stewardship of the previous government," Dr Barnes said.
"Under the Coalition's watch we saw 35,000 jobs lost in public universities, insecure work reach crisis levels and wage theft become endemic throughout the sector.
"The Minister's instruction for the panel to review the disastrous Jobs Ready Graduates policy is welcome. Those changes saw students slugged with higher fees on average and the slashing of public funding for teaching and research.
"It's encouraging that the review is tasked with looking at issues like funding, access, affordability, transparency, regulation and employment conditions.
"We must draw a line under a decade of funding cuts for public universities and TAFE, as well as the corporatisation of classrooms.
"And we want to see less government interference in research.
"It's absolutely vital the voices of university staff and students form a key part of the panel's consideration. We welcome the announcement of a reference group to help inform the panel."
Minister Clare said the composition of the reference group would be announced before Christmas.
