Australia’s universities have been criticized for their lack of transparency, with a report highlighting the difficulty in tracking where students’ and taxpayers’ money is being allocated. The report, authored by the Australia Institute, argues that a focus on profits has led to a lack of accountability at major universities. The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are currently planning a merger, but the lack of detail provided about the proposed merge has raised concerns about the motivation behind it. While the aim is to increase student numbers, research output, and rankings, the refusal to release a business case has fueled speculation that the primary objective is to boost revenue from international students.
Morgan Harrington, the lead researcher of the report, emphasized that their intention was not to judge the merger itself but to draw attention to the lack of transparency surrounding it. Harrington believes that the secrecy surrounding the merger is indicative of the corporatization of university councils and the business-centric culture within Australian universities. This trend away from transparency can be traced back to reforms implemented during the Howard era, which introduced a requirement for commercial and financial expertise on university boards. Consequently, universities have shifted their focus towards maximizing profits rather than prioritizing educational and research outcomes for the betterment of society.
One example that highlights this shift is the underpayment and wage theft scandals that have plagued several prominent universities in recent years. Harrington argues that this penny-pinching mindset exemplifies the university’s drive to increase profits. This has led to a broader question about the purpose of public universities in Australia.
The report suggests several improvements to enhance transparency and accountability in universities. One recommendation is to amend legislation to require university councils, responsible for deciding on the allocation of taxpayer funds, to publish the minutes of their meetings. Additionally, the report proposes that a majority of university council members be elected by university staff and students, ensuring representation and expertise in education.
The South Australia (SA) parliamentary inquiry is expected to release its report on the merger soon. SA Deputy Premier Susan Close defends the merger process, stating that it has been open and accountable. She explains that the universities have provided substantial documentation to inform the decision, with only commercially sensitive information redacted to prevent competitors from gaining an advantage.
Both the University of Adelaide and the University of SA assert that they have made significant documentation available to the public domain regarding the merger. If the merger proceeds, Dr. Harrington believes that the passage of legislation through state parliament would provide an opportunity for South Australia to lead the nation in addressing governance issues within universities.