The Morrison government has squandered the chance to use universities to build Australia back stronger during the pandemic, the federal opposition says.
Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek will tell a Universities Australia conference on Thursday the tertiary sector received massive investment post-WWII to support industry and drive innovation and jobs.
"The contrast with today could not be more disheartening," she will say.
"Instead of recognising the value of education to our economic recovery, instead of growing access and expanding capacity, this government is systemically trashing higher education in Australia."
She says this was demonstrated by universities, but not casinos, being excluded from the JobKeeper wage subsidy program.
And the return of foreign students has been delayed due to the government "dawdling on vaccination and quarantine".
"Just this year, the absence of international students will cost the Australian economy $18 billion."
But the national dividend from the tertiary sector is broad-ranging, she says.
"You can't have a strong, modern, diversified economy without a healthy university system."
A shortage of places meant many young Australians would miss out on an opportunity to study, she says.
"Labor recognises this growing problem. And we're committed to working with universities to find out the best way to solve it," Ms Plibersek says.
"You will be given the support you need to do what you do best: world-class teaching and world-class research."
Universities Australia chief Catriona Jackson said it had been a tumultuous time for the sector, but student education and research had continued.
"Through border closures and bushfires, curriculums moved online overnight, revenue hits and job losses, universities have worked on," she said on Wednesday.
"This tumultuous period has illustrated more than ever why having resilient universities is critical to national recovery and prosperity."
