The change to the Prime Ministership of Australia has been well documented over the past week. The change in leadership has also led to a federal cabinet reshuffle, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing his new ministry at Parliament House over the weekend.

Simon Birmingham becomes the new Minister for Education and Training. Senator Birmingham will be building on the efforts of Christopher Pyne, who now takes over the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio.

In a release from the Innovative Research Universities (IRU), the appointments of these critical positions are welcomed by the IRU.

Professor Andrew Taggart

Acting Vice Chancellor

IRU Media Release 10/2015

Innovative Research Universities (IRU) welcomes the appointment of Senator Simon Birmingham as Minister for Education and Training and Christopher Pyne’s transition to the crucial Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio.

These positions are critical to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s agenda to ‘embrace the future’ to ensure a prosperous economy for Australia, embracing innovation and strengthening businesses’ willingness to use the research system to generate better products and services.

“Senator Birmingham has indicated his desire to engage with the higher education sector, building on his willingness to tackle the policy and practical challenges in vocational education and training,“ says Conor King Executive Director of the IRU.

“It is now time for the Government to refresh its approach to the fundamental challenge ahead for higher education of ensuring universities have the resources they need to provide high quality education and research.  Only then can we achieve our essential role to stimulating innovation.

The Government’s initial package of reform has not succeeded.  It needs to revisit it to determine a new approach building on its core values, and also taking account of the reports that Labor is recommitting to higher public investment in universities.

It is important that we have two strong credible policies driving our major parties.”

The IRU looks forward to working with Minister for Education and Training, Senator The Hon Simon Birmingham; Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science, The Hon Christopher Pyne, MP; Minister for International Education Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck; Assistant Minister for Science, The Hon Karen Andrews, MP and Assistant Minister for Innovation The Hon Wyatt Roy, MP.