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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 4 Hansard (16 April) . . Page.. 911 ..

Ms Follett: Send it to Sydney; that is what they will do. The University of Canberra at Sydney.

MS McRAE: Yes, I think that is right, Ms Follett. I think we want even more assurance from our Minister here not only that the enabling legislation will go through but also that no removal of this primary and important institution is going to happen at the comfort of, perhaps, Ms Vanstone. Perhaps it will go to South Australia; who knows. Quite seriously, we would like to have some detail from the Minister as to what the Federal Government is planning and how quickly this change will happen. In the tabling speech the Minister did say that, optimistically, this would be through early in this year. Of course, the Federal election was anticipated, and I think we had some hope that it would be through by June. It would be good to get some form of indication that it will happen, that it will stay as the University of Canberra, and that it will be under the type of controls that we are envisaging.

The three points, basically, that I would like covered are that the staffing conditions will not be adversely affected by this change; that the Minister will clarify what the reporting and auditing requirements are to be and how they relate to the ACT Government requirements and the Estimates Committee processes and the scrutiny processes here; and that the Federal Government will facilitate rather than impede this change. Otherwise, Labor is happy to support this Bill.

MR STEFANIAK (Minister for Education and Training) (11.54), in reply: Mr Speaker, I thank Ms McRae for her comments and, I assume, all members for their support for this Bill. Commonwealth legislation to enable the transfer was introduced into parliament last session. The Federal election in March has delayed debate on the Bill. However, I am confident that the University of Canberra will become part of the ACT in 1997. The transfer is an important milestone for this Territory. It is a sign of confidence and it will enhance the Territory's reputation as a centre for excellence in education.

The Bill is a result of extensive consultation between the university and ACT agencies. Its development is a sign of the close cooperation that exists between the Territory and the university. Members should note that the university is being transferred at no additional cost to the Territory. Certainly, in the documentation that I have seen, Ms McRae - to cover one of the points you raised - there is nothing to indicate that staff will be disadvantaged in any way by the transfer. It is with great pleasure that I recommend the passage of this Bill.

In relation to a couple of other points raised by Ms McRae, as to the annual reports and accrual accounting, I will be taking that up with the university and getting back to her in relation to that. Finally, as to when things are likely to happen, I am advised that, as some people realise, the passage of the University of Canberra (Transfer) Bill scheduled for debate today cannot be finalised in terms of the detail stage, as Ms McRae has alluded to. The university financial reporting requirements within the Bill are dependent upon the passage of the Commonwealth Bill, the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Bill.

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