Release type: Media Release

Date:

Bradley Review hands over Final Report

Ministers:

The Hon Julia Gillard MP

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, will today receive the final report of the Review of Australian Higher Education by the independent, expert panel led by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC.

The review was established in March 2008 to examine the current state of the Australian higher education system against international best practice. It was asked to explore the future direction of the sector, its capacity to meet the needs of the Australian community and economy, and the options available for ongoing reform.

The final report comprises a rigorous and comprehensive examination of the areas covered by the review’s terms of reference and proposes a comprehensive package of recommendations for reforming Australia’s broader tertiary education system.

In undertaking this review the panel has engaged in extensive consultations with representatives from the higher education sector, state and territory governments, business, industry and the broader public. The panel received more than 350 submissions.

Minister Gillard appreciates the commitment and the independent expertise contributed by the panel during this review period, and would like to personally thank Professor Bradley, Mr Peter Noonan, Dr Helen Nugent, AO, and Mr Bill Scales, AO.

The Rudd Government will consider the recommendations and findings of the review and will provide a response to its directions in 2009.

The Government’s response to the panel’s recommendations will be based on a set of core principles, including:

  • opportunity for all;
  • academic freedom and autonomy;
  • research that advances knowledge and critical thinking; and
  • access to university based on merit not ability to pay.

The Rudd Government supports diversity in higher education and is committed to assisting universities in developing their distinctive missions.

Higher education reform is a key element of the Rudd Government’s Education Revolution. The Bradley Review will make a valuable contribution to the preparation of the Government’s higher education policy agenda for the decades ahead.

The final report of the Review of Australian Higher Education will be available at www.deewr.gov.au/highereducation.