The Group of Eight vice-chancellors, representing Australia's pre-eminent research universities, record their commitment to open access initiatives that will enhance global access to scholarly information for the public good.
The vice-chancellors note that:
information, if it is to achieve maximum benefit for society, must be readily available to a global audience
the rapid development of digital communication technologies provides expanded opportunities for the widespread dissemination of scholarly information
new business models are required to ensure that scholarly publishing is cost effective
any development in digital publishing must incorporate the current framework of scholarly publishing standards relating to the quality of inquiry and reporting
digital publishing initiatives must appropriately recognise and protect the intellectual property of the authors and require accepted standards of attribution
the Group of Eight universities are providing leadership in the development of digital publishing initiatives in Australia.
The vice-chancellors support:
ongoing development of open access initiatives in Group of Eight universities
digital publishing practices that underpin the timely, cost-effective dissemination of the highest quality scholarly information with a commitment to good practice
further examination of criteria for promotion in new publishing models.
Professor Ian W. Chubb AO
Chair, The Group of Eight
Vice-Chancellor
The Australian National University
Professor James McWha
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Adelaide
Professor Kwong Lee Dow AM
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Melbourne
Professor Richard Larkins AO
Vice-Chancellor
Monash University
Professor Mark Wainwright
Vice-Chancellor
The University of New South Wales
Professor John A. Hay AC
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Queensland
Professor Gavin Brown
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Sydney
Professor Alan Robson AM
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Western Australia