Page 348 - Week 03 - Thursday, 1 June 1989
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I regarded the statements as somewhat elitist and in others merely emotional conservatism; they just really did not want any change to the current situation. Of course there were others who reasoned their arguments very well as to why there should not be an amalgamation. But I think it is important that the consideration of it by this chamber should be well reasoned and that it should be beyond criticism when we come to a decision on the issue.
I must say, at this stage, that I do not have a final position and I hope that the consideration of the issue by the proposed committee would assist me in coming to a fair judgment on the matter, with regard to all of the issues of concern to the people of the ACT. From my party's point of view, any amalgamation which is decided upon would have our support only if a new institute is created rather than a takeover by one of the others which would present an image - in my view, anyway - that there are winners and losers in the amalgamation. I think it could be more sensitively approached than that way.
Any new institute should ensure an appropriate balance between the national research function and the ACT and regional tertiary education functions, for very obvious reasons, because of the interests of the people of the ACT which we, as an assembly, are required to serve. The ACT tertiary faculties should be developed as an identifiable unit and the important national research schools should form an identifiable unit and should be developed in accordance with national priorities. Of course, those national priorities would require the involvement of the Federal Government, I consider. Due recognition should be given to the need for an interface between the new university and the technical and further education systems in the ACT. Due recognition should be given to the social, political and cultural needs of the ACT community. That is a matter where we would want to have some considerable involvement, I think.
I raise this with some trepidation, given the discussion which has taken place in the chamber on previous occasions, but the principles of affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and industrial democracy should be enshrined in the establishing legislation. There may be some difficulties in putting together an agreeable package. Nevertheless I think it is an honourable objective. Due recognition should be given to the needs and the role of industry and the economic development of the ACT. I am sure that my colleague Mr Whalan would have an interest in ensuring that that situation occurs in any amalgamation.
There should be an interface at the undergraduate level with the needs of the ACT and the regional economy. Again, that is a matter in which I am sure Mr Whalan would be extremely interested and one which the Labor Government would be keen to support. The Canberra Institute of the Arts should remain an identifiable unit responsive to the requirements of the ACT community. I am quite certain that
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