00:02Three of WA's universities are a step closer to becoming one, the Premier driving the push
00:08for change.
00:09This is a once in a generation opportunity, but we must get it right.
00:14A government business case will assess whether Curtin University, Murdoch University and
00:19the University of Western Australia should be merged with input from a hand-picked steering
00:24committee.
00:24At present we have duplicated offerings, fragmented investment and limited scale across our universities.
00:33We have an opportunity to address these challenges.
00:36Whilst this is certainly about the fundamental tertiary education reform, it's just as much
00:42about long-term economic competitiveness of WA as a state.
00:47The Premier says a merger could help restore WA's standing at home and abroad.
00:5215 per cent of our students are actually enrolled in an East Coast university or tertiary institution.
01:02So we know we can do better.
01:04Two of the universities aren't convinced. Curtin's Vice-Chancellor saying she would vigorously oppose
01:10any merger in the interests of students, staff, graduates and WA's economic future, citing
01:16cost, waste, loss of choice, jobs and legacy.
01:19Murphy. Murdoch University said it only received notification of the proposal from the minister
01:24last night, claiming key reports were kept secret until now. Murdoch says WA is best served
01:31by having four public universities, each with its own special characteristics. While UWA said
01:37it was open to discussions, it highlighted any merger needs to be backed by sound business
01:42rationale and benefits for students. The opposition concerned about government transparency.
01:48They need to talk to the sector, but as we've seen today, many universities are deeply concerned
01:52about this process. Curtin's Student Guild says cost of living
01:56is front of mind for students. What the government's progressing is not addressing
02:01any of those problems that students face, and it's going to cost a lot of money with very
02:06little benefit. It's expected the committee will present its findings
02:10to government by mid-next year before a final decision is made.
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