New Zealand poll changes sector mood music but not hard realities Commentators predict renewed emphasis on international education and change of ‘tone’ around indigenous issues By John Ross 23 October
Parliamentarians want ‘nuclear’ crackdown on agents and colleges Committee also wants ‘Team Australia’ approach, bankrolled by a levy, to ‘open doors’ in Africa, Asia and Latin America By John Ross 19 October
Universities Accord ‘priority’ bill passes Australian parliament ‘Fail rule’ iced and indigenous opportunities extended despite Senate battle By John Ross 19 October
International fee levy ‘will sap student sentiment’ Australia’s proposed international education levy is replete with policy contradictions, new paper argues By John Ross 19 October
Universities Australia chief executive to step down Catriona Jackson says conclusion of major sector review will be ‘a good time to depart’ By Chris Havergal 18 October
Parliamentary report greenlights Adelaide-UniSA merger Key group endorses amalgamation but recommends ‘additional risk management measures’ By John Ross 17 October
Senate snag looms for Australian accord recommendations With opposition senators seeking retention of unpopular ‘fail rule’, bill’s passage appears far from assured By John Ross 17 October
International students ‘to verge on majority’ at top universities Growth rates run counter to government policy objectives, Australian conference hears By John Ross 12 October
Higher job attrition rates ‘widen gender and ethnicity pay gaps’ While earnings gaps are well known, study suggests they are even wider than previously thought By Patrick Jack 11 October
‘Treadmill’ casual academic image ‘a myth’, bosses claim Only a small fraction of casual academics are lecturers, Australian employer association says, but union challenges data By John Ross 10 October
Basic research’s share of Australian sector spending halved While universities bankroll more research from their own pockets they exercise less discretion about the things they study By John Ross 9 October
Monash faces underpayment lawsuit after rewrite bid fails again Australian university to ‘review’ court’s dismissal of its appeal, as union urges it to abandon ‘stalling tactics’ By John Ross 6 October