University of Tasmania spends extra million on cleaning amid COVID

UTAS has hit back at claims the cleaning budget had been slashed, saying it’s ‘false and irresponsible’ to suggest their approach to cleaning would make people less safe.

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THE UNIVERSITY of Tasmania has hit back at “false and irresponsible claims” that their cleaning budget has been slashed, revealing an extra $1 million had been spent on cleaning amid the pandemic compared to the same time last year.

Last week UTAS Labor Society president Ben Dudman said alleged budget cuts could see cleaners lose their jobs and staff and students put at risk of contracting COVID.

The society launched a petition on August 27 calling on UTAS and Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black to reverse the budget cuts. As of Monday afternoon, the petition had reached 144 signatures.

On Monday, United Labor Union spokeswoman Sarah Ellis said the university was slashing cleaning hours by 40 per cent.

Newnham and Inveresk campus cleaner Anna Reay said they had bent over backwards to keep the university safe amid the pandemic.

“It’s devastating that they are doing this to us and putting students at risk,” she said.

“Cleaners shouldn’t have to pay for their bad financial decisions.”

University of Tasmania Sandy Bay campus. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

However a UTAS spokesperson said the university had significantly increased their cleaning spending in response to the pandemic.

“The safety of our students, staff and the broader community has been at the absolute forefront of all our decisions about cleaning; to suggest our approach to cleaning will make people less safe is false and irresponsible,” they said.

“From January to August this year, we have spent approximately $3.2 million on cleaning, compared to approximately $2.2 million over the same period last year.

“This increase reflects a significant investment in further heightened cleaning measures, on top of our regular cleaning services, to ensure our people and facilities are COVID-safe.”

Throughout the pandemic, cleaning and maintenance services had been adjusted in consultation with contractors such as GJK Facility Services, the spokesperson said.

“Cleaning requirements have naturally been impacted by our response to COVID-19, which included the temporary closure of many of our buildings when we moved to remote working, learning and researching,” they said.

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