Page 2271 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 31 October 1989
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University of Canberra
MR HUMPHRIES (10.14): Mr Speaker, I want to raise briefly a matter of concern to me in relation to the University of Canberra Bill which has been introduced into the Federal Parliament.
Mrs Grassby: Is this what you have been doing outside?
MR HUMPHRIES: No, I have been doing the fish farm report, Mrs Grassby, but I have had time today to look at this Bill relating to the establishment of a University of Canberra. One aspect of it was of concern to me and I raise it in the Assembly for the interest of members. The new university is to have a council constituted, as all universities have, and membership of the council is set out in the Bill. Clause 11 sets out the membership of council. It says that the council shall consist of the following members: the vice-chancellor; three persons appointed by the Governor-General; two persons appointed by the Governor-General on the nomination of the Minister for the Australian Capital Territory responsible for matters relating to education; two persons appointed by the vice-chancellor of Monash University; a representative of graduates; et cetera.
The purpose of a University of Canberra should be, in my view, to serve the needs of the Canberra community principally and foremost. It is my understanding that part of the process whereby that university is to be created is the satisfaction of that need for the ACT.
It is a matter of concern to me that, effectively, the number of persons appointed by the ACT Government to represent the ACT on that council is only two. I have expressed my concern to our ACT Education Minister and I hope that members of this house, particularly leaders of parties, will take the opportunity tonight to convey their concerns to the Minister. He might then be able to communicate with his Federal counterpart the concern of the Assembly in that it has a relatively small role to play in this new university.
I understand that amendments to expand the number of ACT representatives on that council will be considered tomorrow by the Federal House of Representatives. I hope that when that happens, through the intervention of, in particular, our ACT Minister, that might be accepted by the ACT Government.
University of Canberra
DR KINLOCH (10.17): The members of the Rally would very much like to endorse Mr Humphries' remarks.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Assembly adjourned at 10.17 pm
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