G21 wants more help for Deakin

LEADING Geelong lobby group G21 is stressing Deakin University “must never be taken for granted” during the coronavirus pandemic, saying the university had driven significant creative, social and business benefits for the Geelong region but that it needed considerable financial support.
In a lengthy media statement issued last week, G21 stated the community “could so easily overlook the many benefits Deakin University brings to our region”.
“Indeed, regions around the nation are envious, wishing they had a highly-ranked international university supporting their regional community.”
G21 stated Deakin and its two Waurn Ponds and Geelong Waterfront campuses had been a major force behind the G21 region’s recovery “from the gloom of economic downturn” by being a critical backer for new, high-tech institutions such as the Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre – which in turn led to Carbon Nexus, Carbon Revolution and Quickstep – the ManuFutures technology centre, the Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, and the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“Just as Deakin University was at the forefront of the region’s economic recovery this past decade, the university will be essential to the region’s post-COVID-19 recovery.
“Yet, like other universities across the nation, Deakin University has itself been economically and academically hit by COVID-19.”
The statement quotes university vice chancellor Professor Iain Martin in saying Deakin’s income this year would be between $80 million-$110 million less than 2019, growing to $250 million-$300 million less by the end of 2021.
G21 estimated Deakin would take at least three to five years for its revenue to return to 2019 levels, resulting in staffing and budget cuts. It also noted Deakin, like all universities, relied on international students for revenue but had been excluded from the federal government’s JobKeeper package.
“While the federal government provided a type of ‘rescue package’ to universities, it will make little difference to Deakin University. The package gives some certainty to the university’s future domestic funding but will not alleviate Deakin’s challenges this year or next.
“Given that revenue from international students is one of the most important means of the Australian economy earning oversees income, it is disappointing that more substantial federal government assistance was not made available.
“Recent news of an up to $60 billion underspend in the anticipated JobKeeper payments allocation makes it hard to understand how that scheme would not now be extended to include the economically important higher education sector.
“Never has there been a more crucial time to acknowledge the enormous past contribution Deakin University has made to our region.
“Ongoing community support and much improved government support will be crucial for Deakin University to play the integral role we need of it in rebuilding our region post-COVID-19.”