Controversial Ramsay Centre deal with UQ hits another hurdle

The introduction of a controversial major at the University of Queensland by the John Howard and Tony Abbott-backed Ramsay Centre appears to have stalled again, with a powerful union claiming victory in the long-running saga.

THE introduction of a controversial Western Civilisation major at the University of Queensland by the Ramsay Centre has hit another hurdle.

The potential partnering of UQ with the Ramsay Centre to introduce the major has been under fire from students, staff and union officials since the proposal was first floated, with protests and petitions against its introduction.

At a meeting earlier this week, the Board of Studies of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UQ voted not to approve a revised version of the proposed curriculum for the program.

The Board of Studies had previously rejected the proposal in April.

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The National Tertiary Education Union is claiming the move as a victory in the long-running saga, saying the partnership should now be off the table entirely.

UQ NTEU Branch President Andrew Bonnell, who is an Associate Professor in History in the HASS Faculty, said staff had expressed many concerns over academic freedom issues, as well as other issues with the program.

Former Australian prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott are both involved with The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation.

“After the petition proving that a majority of staff in the Faculty reject the Ramsay Centre, and two negative votes by the Board of Studies that is responsible for assuring the quality and academic integrity of our courses, this has to be the end of the Ramsay Centre at UQ,” he said.

Discussions between UQ and the Ramsay Centre, which boasts former Prime Ministers John Howard as chair and Tony Abbott as a board member, about a potential partnership have been occurring since at least August last year.

“If UQ management is to honour its commitment to proper academic governance, they have no option but to drop the Ramsay proposal now and cease negotiating with the Ramsay Centre,” NTEU Division Secretary Michael McNally.

NTEU Queensland Division Secretary Michael McNally says UQ have “no option but the drop the Ramsay proposal now”.

However, a UQ spokesman said the NTEU comments were “misleading”.

“The Board of Studies is advisory to the Executive Dean, it is not an approval body as implied by the NTEU,” he said.

“As previously communicated, the University will follow the normal approval process set out in the relevant University policy and procedure.

“The feedback from the meeting will be considered carefully as the program progresses through its standard governance process.”

UQ Vice Chancellor Peter Hoj asked staff to have an open mind when considering the proposal earlier this year. Pic AAP/ Megan Slade.

The major had been proposed to start at UQ in 2020, meaning any partnership would need to be finalised in the coming months to meet the deadline.

Last year the Australian National University withdrew from a lucrative deal with the Ramsay Centre over academic freedom concerns.

Meanwhile following consultation with staff, the University of Sydney sent the Ramsay Centre board a memorandum of understanding with proposed terms and was now waiting for feedback.

The University of Wollongong fast-tracked approval, but in April the NTEU launched a court action against the university to have the decision declared invalid.