Push for Reforms for University Sport

Federal Minister for Youth Kate Ellis has released the final guidelines that will underpin the Federal Government's student services reforms.

The Minister unveiled the proposed Services and Amenities Bill during a recent visit the University of Queensland where she was joined by join Australian University Sport and university sporting organisations to push for student services reforms.

Commenting on the impact of the previous Governmentâs approach on university sport Minister Ellis stated "the previous governmentâs approach resulted in $170 million worth of cuts to student services and amenities at universities across Australia.

"Australian students have been literally paying the price for this loss through reduced services, increased costs on campus and the redirection of funding out of research and teaching budgets to make up the shortfall of funding for campus services."

The Minister was joined by UQ Assistant Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Keniger; UQ Sport Chief Executive Kim Guerin and Australian University Sport Chief Executive Don Knapp.

Knapp explained that university sporting organisations, in particular those from smaller, regional universities have suffered greatly due to the reduced funding available in recent years, stating "not only have we seen a sharp decline in participation numbers on campus, particularly among females, but we have also seen a reduction in the sporting facilities and services available for future development.

"As so many of our Olympians are also part of the university system, these services need to be restored to enhance the future of elite sport in Australia; clearly the passage of the Services and Amenities Bill is crucial."

Minister Ellis added that "the Rudd Government's student services reforms will help to rebuild vital university sport services by supporting the role they play in Australiaâs sporting performance.

"As well as boosting student services, these reforms will help to sustain university sporting teams and facilities â allowing them to foster the next generation of Australian sporting champions.

"University sport also helps to improve the health and fitness of students, and assists students from interstate, rural and remote areas to build social networks and become part of their university community.

"Student services are important not only to campuses all around the country, but also to the Australian economy - building a productive and well rounded workforce into the future."

For more information go to www.deewr.gov.au/higheredstudentservices