Mayor calls funding freeze a ‘stake in heart’ of regional university plan

A SOUTHEAST Queensland mayor is seeking an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, saying the Federal Government’s university funding freeze is putting plans for a new university campus “in jeopardy”.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland is seeking an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to ask him not to freeze funding for placements at Petrie university.

The Federal Government last month announced it would freeze enrolment­-based funding under a plan to save about $2.1 billion.

From 2020, funding increases would be linked to population and performance measures, effectively removing the incentive for universities to enrol as many students as possible.

An artist’s impression of the Petrie campus.

“This is a reckless policy that couldn’t come at a worse time for Moreton Bay, with the planned construction and delivery of the new University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) campus in Petrie about to get underway,” Cr Sutherland said.

“The funding for the first building is via a $121 million loan to USC from the Federal Government and repayment will be financed from student attendance­ at the campus over time.

“This effectively drives a stake through the heart of this crucial regional project — as there’s no point having a campus that students can’t attend due to a lack of funded places.

“I’ve written to our local Members Luke Howarth and Peter Dutton imploring them to see sense and take up the fight for what’s right here in Moreton Bay.

“I’ve also written to the Deputy Prime Minister, Federal Treasurer and Education Minister because time is of the essence and we can’t afford to put this catalytic project in jeopardy.”

USC vice-chancellor Greg Hill said the funding freeze raised a cloud over the Moreton Bay campus.

“If there’s no growth in funding until then, we’ll have to look very closely at that,” he said.

Petrie university artist’s impression.

Labor Senator for Queensland Chris Ketter went further, saying the cuts would put the future of the Petrie campus in doubt.

“Local Federal Members Peter Dutton and Luke Howarth have been vocal in their support for the new university precinct,” Mr Ketter said.

“I want to know what they are going to do about the negative impact that Malcolm Turnbull’s funding freeze will have on this project.”

The Government, in the 2017/18 Budget promised funding of more than $100 million to USC to begin construction­ of the Petrie campus.

Member for Dickson Peter Dutton said he would work to ensure the promised funding and the project would be delivered.

“Luke Howarth and I secured­ funding of over $100 million for the Petrie University, whereas no Labor member, at either State or Federal level, has secured even $1,” he said.

Moreton Bay Mayor Allen Sutherland talking with PM Malcolm Turnbull during a visit to the site of the Petrie university campus. Picture: Peter Wallis

Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the plan, which would also make students repay loans faster, would put the tertiary system on “a more sustainable, responsible path”.

Mr Sutherland said USC was urgently requesting an agreement from the Federal Government that would secure its future.

It wants additional Commonwealth-supported student places for the new campus at 1000 equivalent full-time student load in 2020, with 2000 EFTSL in 2021 and 3000 EFTSL in 2022.

“USC needs surety around these numbers to know that the new Petrie campus will have student places available to it,” he said.