The Allan Labor Government is putting students and staff at the centre of university decision-making, ensuring Victorian universities reflect the communities they serve.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney today announced the Government will establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into the governance of Victorian universities - with a focus on elevating staff and student representation on university councils.
On Friday 17 October, a national Expert Panel on University Governance released its findings. It's now clear university councils, which oversee the management of our higher education institutions, simply must do better.
Victoria fully supports the national plan to improve governance in the university sector, including by setting limits on Vice-Chancellor pay, and requiring university councils to publish their decisions and comply with long-established governance standards in the private sector.
And, similar to NSW, we are establishing a Parliamentary Inquiry, to consider how best to implement the agreed national position to review university councils to ensure sufficient members with higher education sector expertise and student and staff voices.
The Parliamentary Inquiry will consider university accountability, council structures and options to enhance representation and engagement across the sector, including the role of students and staff in shaping the direction of their institutions.
Victoria's higher education sector is a key driver of opportunity - growing the economy, strengthening the global reputation of Victoria's institutions, and giving staff and students the mobility and opportunities for research, career development and future collaboration.
Melbourne is Australia's top student city, ranked fifth best in the world - and the Allan Labor Government is ensuring students, families and communities in Victoria have a greater say in shaping the future of their universities.
The Final Report of the Expert Panel can be accessed here.
As stated by Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"Victoria's universities are one of our state's greatest assets - and it's time they better reflect the people who make them what they are."
"This will give students, staff, universities and other interested Victorians a chance to have a say about the most appropriate make-up of university councils."
"This is about giving students and staff a seat at the table at the highest levels of our universities - making sure our world-class institutions are focused on education, not profit."
