Page 4768 - Week 11 - Thursday, 20 October 2011

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(b) the current operating structures of both the Canberra Institute of Technology and the University of Canberra;

(d) the financial implications of all options for both the ACT Government and potential students of both institutions;

(e) examination of all current CIT articulations and their success in attracting students;

(f) any other matter relevant to the issue; and

(g) to report back to the Assembly by the first sitting week of 2012.

and on the amendment moved by Ms Hunter:

Omit all words after “notes that”, substitute:

“(a) Professor Denise Bradley has recently presented a report to the ACT Minister for Education and Training on Options for future collaboration of the Canberra Institute of Technology and the University of Canberra;

(b) the report recommended the University of Canberra (UC) and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) merge to create a new dual sector tertiary institution;

(d) the Government has committed to responding to the Bradley Report;

(2) calls on the Government to report to the Assembly on the progress of the proposed Bradley reforms; and

(3) refers, on introduction to the Assembly, any proposed legislation for the merger of UC and CIT to the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs for inquiry and report.”

MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (3.50): I started making my comments on this important motion on 25 August this year. As an aside, I note that the opposition sought to conclude this debate on 25 August, but Ms Gallagher said that there were more important matters than the future of education in the ACT that the government had to get to. It was sad that we did not finish this in August. Education has been and continues to be a critical policy issue for the Canberra Liberals even if it is not for the ACT Labor Party.

There was quite a spirited debate on this motion on 25 August. Many sound arguments were put forward by my colleague Mr Doszpot, particularly relating to the confusion of inquiries and reports on this matter. That was simply answered by

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