Southern Cross University welcomes funding increase

The Vice Chancellor of Southern Cross University, Professor Peter Lee, has commended the federal government’s decision to double the regional loading, announced in tonight's federal budget.

“Sixty per cent of our students are from regional Australia, and the reality is that it costs more to provide higher education places at regional campuses. This decision is therefore most welcome,” Professor Lee said.

The increase will result in Southern Cross University receiving $3.8 million in regional loading from 2012, up from $1.3 million in 2011. The increase in funding will be recurrent.

“This is good news for the higher education sector, and very good news for a University like Southern Cross, with such a strong remit and commitment to our regions.”

Professor Lee also welcomed the continuation of the adjustment to indexation, which will lift to 3.8% in 2012, up from an anticipated 1.7% had not the Government responded to the reforms recommended by the Bradley Review.