University of Tasmania financial concern after Liberals block city move
The University of Tasmania has warned of “financial implications” from a Liberal election promise to effectively block the shift of its main campus, while Labor claims the intervention will spook investors.
The University of Tasmania has warned of “financial implications” from a Liberal election promise to effectively block the shift of its main campus, while Labor claims the intervention will spook investors.
UTAS’ controversial plans to close its Sandy Bay campus and lease the land for housing, while shifting students to Hobart’s CBD, was shaping as a key state election issue in the seat of Clark.
In an apparent attempt to neutralise the issue in the Hobart-based electorate, where the UTAS move is unpopular, the Rockliff government on Tuesday announced it would “keep … UTAS in Sandy Bay”.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff later conceded the policy fell short of guaranteeing such an outcome but said it would give parliament an effective veto over the sale or lease of the Sandy Bay site.
“What it is doing is ensuring that the sale of the land, or indeed the lease of the land, will have to go through both houses of parliament,” Mr Rockliff said. “It’s going to ensure the community is listened to.”
UTAS vice chancellor Rufus Black has argued the shift is vital to securing the university’s financial future and a spokesman on Tuesday raised the prospect of wider implications should it be blocked.
“We look forward to seeing the detail on this policy announcement and understanding the legal, planning and financial implications,” the UTAS spokesman said.
The Liberal intervention follows a bruising parliamentary inquiry that heard concerns about UTAS governance, as well as a 2022 plebiscite at which 74pc of Hobartians voted against the city move.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the Liberals had 10 years in government to take a position on the UTAS move but had only done so weeks out from the March 23 election.
“They are looking after themselves instead of thinking about what is in the best interests of students,” Ms White said.
“Forty percent of the campus … is already in the city, so what do the Liberals propose to do with the campus that’s sitting there in Sandy Bay?”
She accused the Liberals of creating sovereign risk. “I think what this signals to anyone looking to invest in Tasmania is be careful if the Liberals are in charge,” she said.
“This creates huge uncertainty for the university…for students and … businesses looking to invest in our state.”
Anti-city move group Save UTAS called on Professor Black and chancellor Alison Watkins, who have pushed the relocation against considerable opposition within the community, staff and students, to resign.
Save UTAS co-chair Mike Foster said the Liberal announcement signalled the caretaker government had “lost confidence in UTAS leadership”.
“Fresh leadership will give hope to disillusioned staff and students,” Mr Foster said. “UTAS can be restored as the preferred university for young Tasmanians.
“Hundreds of millions of dollars have been squandered on this ill-conceived relocation project.”
The Sandy Bay site was gifted by the people of Tasmania to UTAS in 1951.
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