Unis lower priority than pink batt insulation

The Federal Government has chosen to prioritise cash splashes and pink batt insulation over the recommendations of their own Higher Education Review, said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.

"This Government in Opposition promised nothing less than a revolution. After 18 months of the Bradley Review, followed by an internal review into the Bradley review, they have failed to seriously address the concerns held by the sector," Mr Pyne said.

"Last year the Government abolished all full fee places for Australian students - a private revenue stream for Universities that had been growing and providing economic security into the future," he said.

The new revenue available in this Budget - about a third of what the Bradley Review recommended - is mainly directed to help Universities cope with the influx of 50,000 new students expected over the coming four years, given that there won't be any jobs for them.

Meanwhile the Rudd Government has raided the Education Investment Fund to pay for $400 million in sustainable energy initiatives.

Originally established by the former Government as the Higher Education Infrastructure Fund to provide a nest egg for the Higher Education sector, it appears that the Rudd Government considers it a handy slush fund for any whim that takes the Government's fancy.

The Government's claim that they are 'planting the seeds of future growth by supporting world-class universities' is ridiculous.

Julia Gillard should have been arguing in cabinet for Higher Education to have a higher priority than cash splashes and pink batts. The fact that she didn't means that the Higher Education sector has missed its chance for real reform.

"Australia deserves better than a part time Education Minister," Mr Pyne said.