Providing our young people with a great education will give them access to safe, secure, well-paid jobs.  

Labor strongly supports the University's plans to deliver a $500 million science and technology facility and 2,000 new homes. It will be great for students and great for Tasmania's future.

The Liberals are teaming up with the Greens to block all these exciting projects - and now it appears they're doing so without even bothering to get proper advice. 

Last night in Parliament, the Premier was forced to table a very thin pile of documents – all advice received by his government relating to their proposed UTAS legislation.

The absence of thorough advice is concerning and shows just how irresponsible the Liberals' policy is.

This is legislation that will significantly affect the state’s only university and block billions of dollars of investment. The government has rushed into this without any consideration or advice around the impacts it will have.

They have received no advice from Treasury about the impact on the University’s financial sustainability.

No advice around the potential legal ramifications of freezing the University’s assets.

No advice from State Growth regarding the impact on delivery of major projects, and no advice from the Commonwealth Government on the impact of higher education provision in Tasmania.

The lack of consultation with the University itself is perhaps the most egregious failure considering this proposed legislation, if passed, will have serious impacts on the University’s future.

The fact the Liberals haven't got any proper advice shows once again that this policy is all about their political interests rather than what's best for our state's future.

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years