Miriam Balltuck
(NASA Representative) who went on WISENET’s behalf.
Professor Bruce Chapman (Australian National University) the architect of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) spoke at the National Press Club on October 16. In his presentation (The Higher Education Financing Debate: Returns to Educational Investments, Current Pressures and Some Suggestions for Reform) Professor Chapman highlighted how partial indexation since 1995 has meant that public sector outlays for universities have not matched general Australian improvements in wage and salaries.
Prof Chapman elaborated that the situation leads to consideration of what might be the correct role for government in this area. If there are societal benefits resulting from higher education, what form do they take and how important are they? Policy debate in the area should also address who should pay and how much should be paid by the respective parties. Finally, he made several recommendations concerning appropriate and inappropriate potential financing policy reforms. A copy of Professor Chapman's presentation may be found at:
http://www.avcc.edu.au/news/public_statements/media_releases/2001/avcc_media_