Page 1190 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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Mr Speaker, I offer the congratulations of the Government to Dr Jean Blackburn on her appointment as chancellor of the University of Canberra. The Government is aware of Dr Blackburn's distinguished contribution to other sectors of education. In a city that takes education very seriously, we look forward to an association with Dr Blackburn in her new role.
The inauguration of the University of Canberra marks the end of an era of achievement in higher education in this Territory. It also provides an opportunity for future growth and development, and the Government wishes the university well in this new mission.
I present the following paper:
Inauguration of the University of Canberra - Ministerial Statement, 24 April 1990.
MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition), by leave: On behalf of the Labor members, I wish to join the Chief Minister in marking the inauguration of the University of Canberra. The ceremony last Thursday marked the beginning of a new university and a new era in tertiary education for Canberra. Of course, in another sense, this is simply the beginning of a new chapter in an already long history of educational excellence and service to the Canberra community.
I am sure that members will all agree that we expect the new university to continue its tradition of relevance to the Canberra community which has been demonstrated by the connections forged with both the public and the private sectors in areas such as management and high technology. I know that it is this relevance which attracts a great many students to the University of Canberra. In fact, it was that relevance that attracted me as a student back in 1973 at a time when I was looking for a career change. I do hope, though, that in pursuing the relevance of its courses the University of Canberra does not lose sight of the pursuit of learning beyond that which is immediately practicable, for I believe that is the mark of a university. It also marks the importance of having an educated, critical and socially aware population.
The inauguration of the university also gives us cause to consider the status of a university, established as it is under Commonwealth legislation. I believe that it would be appropriate for the establishing legislation to be repatriated so that the university is truly the university of the Canberra community. I do not see this, as the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts has termed it, as an ownership issue, because I would not like to see this or any future ACT government consider that they own the university, but it would be appropriate for the independence of the university to be established under ACT legislation.
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