Director: Daniel C. Levy

Australian Governmental Grants for Private Universities' New Infrastructure

PROPHE Summary (by Prachayani Praphamontripong):

The Australian Capital Development Pool was established in 1994. A controversial debate has emerged in Australia over the government's plan to widen the eligible pool of private universities with access to public funds for new campus infrastructure. These governmental investment grants for public and private universities include the development of a new campus both in suburban and regional areas, the renovation of facilities destroyed by natural disasters, and the infrastructure development of information technology. Such policy friendly to private higher education comes as the government has already considered internationalization that would welcome more overseas and private institutions.

PROPHE Observation (by Daniel C. Levy):

Read alongside a government bill that would give private universities access to public research funds and student loans [see News Feature 3], the offering of further public funds for private campuses understandably produces public university consternation. Public universities see a loss from funds otherwise targeted to them. Private universities, on the other hand, generally welcome public resources that allow their expansion and development. The issue is highly politicized as pushed by the Liberal government and prompting outcries from the Labor side.