Universities Australia launches regional campaign against cuts
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18 June 2013 | Universities Australia has launched a print advertising campaign in over 80 regional and local areas around the country, aimed at informing residents of the potential consequences to local economies of the Government’s $2.8 billion in cuts to university funding and student support measures.
The regional and local advertising blitz forms part of Universities Australia’s $5 million Smartest Investment Campaign which has been running nationally on TV, radio, print and online since the end of February.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Ms Belinda Robinson said regional areas have been chosen because of their local university presence.
The local ad blitz reflects the fact that universities are vital to every facet of the Australian economy, whether in the cities, the suburbs or rural and regional towns. Our 39 universities are pillars of their local economies, helping drive employment, skills and research wherever they are located.
In the regions alone, they employ over 10,000 Australians, educate over 100,000 students and contribute around $2 billion a year to local economies.
Our universities also closely collaborate with local business and industry, helping diversify and transform local communities and keeping them competitive.
We must ensure that decision makers fully comprehend that cutting funding to universities and students doesn’t just hurt Australia’s competitiveness globally, it also hurts economies locally.
Robinson said Universities Australia will continue to strongly oppose the cuts up until the time that they are cemented in law.
We will continue our advocacy efforts with all sides of Parliament to oppose the cuts. We owe nothing less to the overwhelming number of Australians who are concerned about the impact of these cuts on Australia’s future.
The legislation to enact the cuts is scheduled for introduction after the 14 September federal elections and would presumably proceed under an Abbott Coalition government, anxious to find budget savings, even if school funding reform does not proceed, which the cuts are intended to part fund.
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UA ramps up campaign over cuts
