Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Providing quality education is the core business of our universities. I've met with university representatives and locals about the proposed move of the Hobart campus of the University of Tasmania, UTAS, from Sandy Bay to the Hobart CBD. In addition to offering direct education, universities often foster the development of businesses—big and small—research and many other activities on and around their campuses. UTAS is special in that it is the only one in Tasmania. So decisions to move a university campus will have an impact on many more people, organisations, businesses and those that are directly associated with the university. We need to make sure it is the right move. Any decision to move the campus rather than to renovate and redevelop the existing site requires resourcing, both in finances and in personnel.

A Save UTAS group made up of community members, current and former University of Tasmania academics, business operators and UTAS students has formed and is launching a petition against the campus relocation. I will continue to meet with stakeholders. Senator Bilyk and I will be meeting with the vice-chancellor and representatives from the University of Tasmania in coming weeks. The University of Tasmania is highly valued and regarded by the people of Tasmania. We must never lose sight of the need to maintain student amenity and educational and research outcomes as the priority for the university.