Page 1055 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2015
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allow the university to work with others to develop more residences on campus, to invest in the sporting commons and the health precinct, and to foster growth in an innovation precinct on the campus. The planned campus improvements will help in attracting more students, academics, researchers and tourists to the territory and will further establish the ACT as the destination of choice for people in the higher education and research sectors considering relocating from interstate or overseas.
This bill marks an important first step in a significant economic development agenda for Canberra. Our city has very few comparative advantages. We are a small economy and we simply must take these opportunities. The higher education sector is one of the biggest contributors to the ACT economy and has significant potential for growth in high quality jobs that lead to better outcomes for our community.
Frankly, it is astounding that the Liberal Party seek to oppose this legislation today. But then, given their record federally and all of their attempts to destroy the University of Canberra through the deregulation agenda that Minister Pyne has been pursuing at a national level—fortunately failed now twice—our approach, the approach of the ACT government, stands in marked contrast. We are for higher education. We are for jobs growth for Canberra. We are for more national and international investment opportunities for this city. We want to see our higher education sector thrive and we are putting in place the policy framework to allow that to occur.
Our approach stands in marked contrast to those opposite, who have no vision for one of the most significant industries in this city, one of the largest employers. One in nine Canberrans either works or studies at one of our higher education institutions. This is a critical industry for this territory and one that deserves to be supported through this bill today. That those opposite are not supporting it is a disgrace. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail stage
Clauses 1 to 4, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 5.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.04): I will be opposing this clause.
Question put:
That clause 5 be agreed to.
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