Executive summary

Executive summary

This Left Right Think-Tank policy paper recom­mends that the Federal Government and uni­ver­sit­ies adopt two meas­ures to improve higher edu­ca­tion in Australia. The meas­ures, respect­ively, are the expan­sion of the University Experience Survey to include stu­dents at all stages of their degree and the alloc­a­tion of a pro­por­tion of the Student Services Amenities Fee to student run organisations.

As inter­na­tional markets change, it is fun­da­mental that Australia takes action to improve our higher edu­ca­tion sector in order to main­tain its com­pet­it­ive advant­age inter­na­tion­ally, as well as our high stand­ard of living and strong civil society.

The current reforms acts, Higher Education Support Amendment (Demand Driven Funding System and Other Measures) Act 2011 and the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011 have acted as the pretext in struc­tur­ally chan­ging higher edu­ca­tion in Australia. However more is needed if we are to reshape the higher edu­ca­tion system to assist Australia in adapt­ing to the chal­lenges that we will inev­it­ably face in the future.

The expan­sion of the University Experience Survey to stu­dents at all stages of their degree aims to ensure quality in higher edu­ca­tion by deliv­er­ing a more rep­res­ent­at­ive sample of student per­spect­ives which will provide more mean­ing­ful inform­a­tion to measure uni­ver­sity per­form­ance. This change would provide a broader account­ab­il­ity frame­work in which stu­dents, as key stake­hold­ers, play a role in assess­ing the quality of their uni­ver­sity education.

The alloc­a­tion of a pro­por­tion of the Student Services and Amenities Fee to the base funding of student run organ­isa­tions will help ensure their long-term sus­tain­ab­il­ity and viab­il­ity. Also by putting in place trans­par­ency and account­ab­il­ity meas­ures, uni­ver­sit­ies will be able to ensure that the Student Services and Amenities Fee is being appro­pri­ately used to enhance the ser­vices and amen­it­ies provided to students.

Improving higher edu­ca­tion in Australia is a complex task that has no simple solu­tion. However if we are to effect­ively compete in the new glob­al­ised economy, our edu­ca­tion insti­tu­tions must lie at our national response so that our edu­ca­tion system may meet and adapt to the chal­lenges that we will inev­it­ably face in the future.

Executive summary

Executive summary

Australia is in trans­ition, and we must change with it. The Fellows of Left Right Think-Tank Policy Fellowship in Western Australia com­piled this policy piece after con­duct­ing a study on the future of Australian cities and infra­struc­ture. The under­ly­ing ques­tion was: where and, most import­antly, how will we live in 2030? In answer­ing this ques­tion, the fun­da­mental problem iden­ti­fied was that of resource scarcity. By accept­ing the finite nature of natural resources, it becomes obvious that one of the major causes to this problem of resource scarcity is the issue of pop­u­la­tion growth. Projections show that Australia is, undeni­ably, growing as we encounter a pop­u­la­tion surge that raises the national pop­u­la­tion to between 25 and 30 million by 2030 [1]. The bulk of this rise in pop­u­la­tion will affect Australia’s major urban cities. There are many symp­toms of the problem of resource scarcity in the context of infra­struc­ture: the pro­vi­sion of basic amen­it­ies and ser­vices becomes dif­fi­cult; the liv­ab­il­ity of urban centres comes under ques­tion; and the task of sus­tain­able living becomes even more chal­len­ging amidst a chan­ging, and threatened, climate.

So. The NSW team of policy fellows has recently embarked on the Policy Fellowship quest. An epic quest indeed; spanning over eight months, involving policy writing, consultation and advocacy, and eventuating in the production of a long-term-oriented, evidence-based piece of public policy. This year, the NSW team consists of ten Policy Fellows, as well as the Left Right staff.  On that note, it seems fitting to draw attention to one aspect of the Fellowship that I’ve already found great appreciation for. And that, explicitly, is the way in which such a diverse group of individuals are drawn closely together by one common passion and objective. We all share the ideal that we (as young individuals) hold a prominent stake in the future, and yet possess such little means by which we can shape it. We recognise that public policy will play a crucial role in shaping our collective future, and thus we would like to learn about and understand the mechanisms used in its development.

The 2012 NSW Fellowship is focusing on Australia’s transport infrastructure. More specifically, we’re exploring potential sustainable funding models that could enable current and future governments to afford to continue developing infrastructure. One month into our fellowship, we’ve been busy researching the existing literature and lines of thinking surrounding the topic of transport infrastructure, the funding it requires, and the Australian political approach to developing it. The first fellowship session was exciting and engaging, but also slightly daunting. We realised that the scope of the policy proposal was absolutely huge, and that the policy area was incredibly topical; meaning the subject would already be under a significant amount of scrutiny from a wide range of individuals and institutions. Nonetheless, with some very dedicated mentoring from the Left Right Staff, and thorough research from the fellows, we’re beginning to understand the fundamentals of the subject we’re dealing with. This is a necessary first step in order for us to begin thinking about ways in which we can frame our policy questions and decide on a policy focus.

In helping us along in this process, we’ve already met with some interesting and inspiring stakeholders. This includes several workshops with a representative from the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), and another with a senior strategy manager from the National Australia Bank (NAB). For the duration of the Fellowship we’ll continue to meet with more interesting people from government, journalism and industry. These workshops with stakeholders are such a beneficial, fascinating, and ultimately important part of the policy-development process. In meeting with policy professionals from different areas of specialisation, it becomes increasingly more evident that to produce an innovative and robust policy, consultation with spokespeople of different perspectives, and an interdisciplinary approach of analysis will be critical.

We’ve made a lot of progress so far, but still have a long way to go! And intend to keep you posted on our progress…

Until next time,

The NSW Fellowship Team.

High school geography taught me sustainability is putting your eggs in different baskets.

Even in these early stages the Victorian fellowship is consulting with a wide range of experts, reminding us that to enact worthwhile change we’ve got to understand all viewpoints. We’re learning that our society, economy and environment don’t need to divide Australians, but people, trade and trees can integrate us for each is dependent on the other.

This holistic approach is evident in our fellowship’s formation of a policy for economically sustainable food security.

When consulting with the fellowship, Agribusiness Council of Australia chair Ian Joseph embodied a multiplicity of angles when he drew a distinction between agriculture and everything associated with it, agribusiness. As fellows we learned the difference is between viewing Australia’s food production in a vacuum, as opposed to in the context of the wider economic chain. It’s all too easy to get stuck in a one-track rut when approaching problems through tunnel vision, but only when we look over our neighbour’s fence will we see what does and doesn’t work.

Grassroots learning is why as fellows we are committed to forming a policy for food security which addresses the progress of the economy, ecosystem of the environment and diversity of society. The fellowship is providing us fellows with the opportunity to read and consult widely, resulting in the invaluable skill of cross-disciplinary research.

Left Right Think-Tank is defined by its non-partisan approach to public policy, meaning Victorian fellows are listening to all sides of politics and industry, not for their ideologies – but for their knowledge and experience in securing food into the future. Dr John White synthesised solutions for food security and climate change in a consultation which associated rich fertiliser sourced from lignite with photosynthesis and carbon farming. Such a lateral approach to current problems need not overwhelm when the science motivating change reminds us that there is ‘nothing new under the sun’.

In an ever-progressing world Australia needs to ensure we have the sustenance to evolve into the 21^st century.

This is why in 2012 the Victorian fellowship will heed the economy, environment and society, because only when we’re listening will we create a policy that sustains beyond the next election.

It is within this rather tense context that the fellows undertook the task of analysing Australia’s higher education sector. Specifically, they focused on investigating the consequences of the federal government’s brand spanking new demand-driven funding system. This legislation was introduced in reaction to the 2008 Bradley Review, which sent shockwaves through the community by warning that Australia’s bachelor degree-attainment rate of 29 per cent is economically unsustainable. This figure shows that Australia has one of the lowest levels of university participation in the OECD. The fellows’ research revealed that most experts believe that Australia needs to significantly increase its university participation rate if it is to foster a sustainable labour market that can adapt to the rapid technological change being driven by globalisation. The demand-driven funding system attempts to achieve this by removing the caps on the number of undergraduate students universities can enrol each year. In effect, the government has stood aside and let the market take the helm.

After a gruelling few months of research, the fellows identified the key stakeholders and experts they needed to consult in order to work out what specific issues their policy would address. This list included journalists, education experts, universities, student unions, youth organisations, and – of course – young people.

A key question quickly arose from the fellows’ research and consultation: how can we ensure the quality of university education and experience does not suffer as a result of the increase in enrolments the demand-driven model will bring? This question was accompanied by a rather depressing realisation that despite the protracted and often bitter nature of the debate surrounding education reform, lost in all this chaos has been the voice of the youth. The fellows were concerned by this paradox and demanded an answer; as primary stakeholders, surely young people have a right to be heard on issues relating to education?

The following sessions with the fellows were characterised by intense and sometimes-heated discussion on what measures would bolster the quality of education and experience at Australian universities. The level of creativity and intelligence in the room catalysed a collaborative and productive atmosphere. Two recommendations were born. In the end, it was decided that the absence of the youth’s voice on issues of quality and experience at university is a real concern that needs to be addressed. The fellows believe it goes further than the argument that students have a right to be heard. They also have a unique perspective they can bring to the table; a perspective that has value, one that should be seriously considered by government and universities alike.

Unlike so many others involved in the education debate, the fellows consciously avoided becoming embroiled in the politics of the ideological battleground. Rational analysis and creative thinking were at the forefront of discussion. In the place of default ideological positions, in-depth research and wide-level consultation informed their policy.

The outcome was two well thought-out policy recommendations which could achieve real, positive change.

Left Right Think-Tank congratulates the NSW 2011 Policy Fellowship for producing an outstanding policy on higher education.

Left Right Think-Tank’s 2011 Victorian Policy Fellowship not only disproved that notion, they (in true rock-star fashion) threw it out the window and into a pool of rippling success.

But how, you may question, furiously shaking your computer monitor with an urgent fervour (stop that because it will break), does a group of seven young Victorians produce a twenty-five page document that is requested by Government offices and recommended by Senators?

It all begins with Left Right Think-Tank and ends with the determination and hard-work of our Victorian Fellows.

The 2011 policy recommendation paper began with a topic. Innovation. Hand chosen by the directors of Left Right, innovation was seen as crucial to the progression of society. Australia must be able to foster an environment that encourages and promotes innovation, in order to be at the forefront of the world’s economies.

Faced with such a broad topic, the fellows knew that extensive research was ahead and were prepared and committed to dive head first and grasp the issue. Looking at current Labor government and opposition policies on innovation, a wide array of academic work, reports from other think tanks, consultancy groups and commentaries on the subject, the fellows established a base knowledge regarding the progress of innovation in Australia. Rather than allowing themselves to be submerged in a flurry of articles, journals and literary reviews, the sources that were significant were divided up between the fellows. They, in their own time, read the pieces in detail, which were reviewed then presented at their next meeting.

Key stakeholders emerged from the research. These figures were consulted with in order to get a more comprehensive scope of the issue. The more the fellows researched innovation by reading and discussing ideas with stakeholders, the clearer the major barriers preventing innovation in Australia became. Problems were echoed in consultations sessions and the overall theme of collaboration began to emerge.

While problems were not hard to find, a solution was a major challenge. Here the determination, hard work and strong will of the fellows was demonstrated, as they spent hours of meeting with Left Right Victorian policy staff, trying to devise some hard-hitting recommendations for the paper to encompass. This process demonstrated the importance of working with a strong team of determined young people, as compromises were required to isolate solutions. Indeed, it was difficult to find unanimous agreement on specific recommendations, but after comprehensive discussion and cooperation, the recommendations were decided upon. A hard-copy began to be drafted and the result was a comprehensive, in-depth policy recommendation paper on innovation in Australia.

The process of public policy writing is not as elusive as it seems. It is a process accessible to all young people who want to impact the decisions that are made in our country today. It requires a great team who are committed, determined and ready to compromise. It requires a level head and to not be shaken by any subject that seems too broad, too complex or challenging.

The forward to Left Right Think-Tank’s 2011 innovation policy notes that “sometimes new directions are not apparent until pointed to from someone ‘outside’ the system.” With the launch of the policy on innovation, Left Right Think-Tank congratulates the 2011 fellows and look forward to seeing great things from them all in the future.

Recognising the long term benefits of the development of a knowledge economy in Australia, the Left Right team in NSW will be asking the central question of how Australia is developing as a knowledge economy, by investigating and furthering the development of the tertiary education sector.

With this in mind, and under the tutelage of our dynamic policy duo, Sanija Hrncic & Abhishek Bhovar, the NSW Fellows will take an in depth look at the tertiary sector from where it stands today, to pivotal reforms already underway; as well as the direction that needs to be taken in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Debates around access to equity, preparation for entry to University, and the quality and inflation of education are just the top soil of a program aimed at developing a critical framework for maximising the potential of the Australian tertiary sector.

On a slightly different note, the skies above Sydney were temporarily darkened last month as our State Director, Giancarlo de Vera, was rendered mute and sartorically deprived (in a literal and semiotic sense) — all to raise money for World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine. We were shocked when we heard that Giancarlo, always impeccably (read: flamboyantly) dressed and a well known motor mouth had put himself through two days of such abject torture. However, luckily, with the official support of the NSW/ACT VGen (World Vision’s Youth Movement), he made it through to the other side and in the process has so far raised an extremely impressive $895 dollars! He’s taking donations until the end of the month so jump onto the Facebook event below, or his 40 Hour Famine profile page, and help him reach his $1000 target!

For all the criticism we launch at Canberra, one couldn’t expect much — drab buildings and a sulky atmosphere is the image portrayed. We found Canberra to be a refreshing experience, immersing ourselves in the city in the little time we had. From the National Capital Exhibition to the High Court, the National Museum, Old Parliament House and of course Parliament House proper. It was odd, but a strange feeling of patriotism emerged, something it seems isn’t felt as much in our other major cities. Kindly referred to as the “dumping ground for the Federal Government”, Canberra has much more to offer than meets the eye.

The trip involved so many meetings we hardly had time to eat. Of course, the nature of a sitting week means some people have more time than others. Further, meetings are often cut short or cancelled due to the constantly distracting “ringing of the bells” (watching our leaders scrambling through the Parliamentary corridors is an amusing experience). Having said this, here is a select list of those we met with:

• Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion)
• Rebecca Barton, adviser to Kevin Rudd (Minister for Foreign Affairs)
• Jessica Loefstedt, adviser to Anthony Albanese (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Leader of the House)
• Warren Truss (Leader of the Nationals; Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport)
• 
Luke Hartsuyker (Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Youth and Sport; Deputy Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives)
• Wyatt Roy (youngest MP)
• Sam Riordon, adviser to Julie Bishop (Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade)

Through our meetings though we were enlightened to a number of insights from the inside. We heard numerous times that most of what happens at parliament house is not contentious and wholly agreed upon by both parties. Ministers and Shadow Ministers explained that unfortunately the media only portrayed the adversarial side of politics, but that they feel most of their work is constructive and making a difference for good.

We were well received by all the MPs we met with, and heard how both sides of government are keen to use Left Right as a bridge through which they can reach young Australians from all walks of life. We would agree and would welcome your thoughts, opinions and ideas — we want to act as a voice for young Australians, and we want you to join us in participating in creating a future we can all be proud of.

We’re making a serious impact on our politicians regarding what they think about young people and our views, and this was reinforced by all the well wishes we received on our most recent escapade to Canberra!