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Ancora Imparo

After lengthy negotiations, we now have an Enterprise Agreement that has been signed-off between the university, the National Tertiary Education Union and elected staff representatives. It has been judged by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) to be compliant with the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs). Our own legal advice also confirms that the agreement is compliant with these requirements. The Minister's Office has indicated the Minister will reserve the right to decide himself if the agreement is sufficiently compliant to grant the five per cent increase (worth about $8 million to Monash) in the Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding for 2006, which new legislation will make contingent on satisfying the HEWWRs.

Given DEST's confirmation and our own legal advice, we intend to put the agreement to a general vote of staff and, if it is supported, to proceed with its certification and implementation. Although the agreement has been simplified and modified in some respects, the negotiated salary increases and other benefits, including the parental leave and associated leave conversion arrangements in the heads of agreement signed last December, have been carried forward to the new agreement.

We are delighted that the negotiations have been undertaken in a very cordial way, and we are very pleased with the outcome. As I have often said, it is in the interests of both the staff and the university to get the best possible outcome for staff that the university can afford. I believe we have achieved that 'win/win' point and congratulate everyone directly involved in the process. I trust that Monash staff will endorse the proposed agreement.

As you will have read, there is doubt about whether the so-called 'VSU' legislation will be passed in its present form and/or in time to implement for 2006. Many jobs potentially depend on this legislation. To remove uncertainty, we have decided that students will be charged amenities and services fees in 2006, and those student services that are dependent on amenities fee income will be maintained in 2006. Further planning will take place over the remainder of this year and in 2006 as it becomes clear when and in what form the 'VSU' legislation is passed.

It is a shame that so much time has been consumed on these matters that do not advance our ambition to improve the educational experience of our students and the research performance of the university.

I am delighted to report some really positive developments in both education and research. Monash's MBA has been ranked as the best in Australia by the influential Economist Intelligence Unit and the second best in Asia behind the University of Hong Kong. Even more impressively, our MBA ranked sixth best in the world in the category of 'personal development and educational experience' -- a stunning achievement. The Master of Counselling degree in our Education faculty was ranked as the 'most popular' (euphemism for best in non-elitist speak) in Australia by the Australian Counselling Association. Monash's performance in the NHMRC Project Grants, Research Fellowships and Career Development Awards was also outstanding, with over $24 million dollars received in new grants -- $10 million more than last year.

Many other exciting things are happening, and we must not get too distracted by the political high jinks so that we can get on with what really matters.

Richard Larkins