AUSTRALIA: States must "put up or shut up", say universities

Australia's states have been told to "put up or shut up" when it comes to universities, with vice-chancellors warning governments to invest more in the sector or consider ceding power to the Commonwealth. One year after the Howard government pushed for a federal takeover of higher education, the divisive debate over what role the states should play has re-emerged.

Australian Catholic University chief Greg Craven said it was time for the states, which establish universities while Canberra primarily funds them, to either "put up or shut up".

"Either the states have to engage financially...or in some meaningful way with universities, or it would be better if they vacated the field," said Professor Craven, speaking at a higher education forum at Melbourne University.
Full report on The Age site