Staff and students opposed to the proposed merger of WA universities will hold a snap rally outside Perth's Parliament House today.
Hundreds of students, staff and community members are expected at the rally and more than 600 people from every electorate in the State had already registered concerns over the proposed merger with their MPs. Curtin, Murdoch and UWA student guilds have all declared opposition to the merger plan.
Murdoch and Curtin University staff have been given permission by their respective Vice-Chancellors to attend the rally – with Murdoch Vice-Chancellor Andrew Deeks going a step further and allowing academic staff to rearrange classes so they can attend the 1pm rally.
A Curtin spokesperson said the protest would occur during a tuition-free period and staff were, “free to attend the student-organised protest if they choose to.”
The NTEU has said more than two-thirds of almost 1,000 staff it surveyed at WA universities opposed the merger.
WA Tertiary and International Education Minister Toni Buti has appointed businessman Mark Barnaba as chair and renowned health researcher Professor Fiona Wood as Deputy Chair a steering committee overseeing the development of a business case into the potential merger of UWA, Murdoch and Curtin Universities. They have each publicly advocated for a merger since taking on their Steering Committee roles.
President of Curtin’s Student Guild, Dylan Storer said the rally was a practical way that students could make sure MPs heard their voices.
“Parliament is sitting and we want to make sure the members of parliament understand this is an issue that matters to the WA community,” Mr Storer said.
“I think the State Government have made an assessment that people don’t care about our universities and I think they are wrong.
“People are deeply sceptical about the merger and what it offers to the State.”
“The government will say nothing has been decided yet, but we have both the cochairs of the steering committee writing opeds in the paper saying how a merger presents a wonderful opportunity for the State. It can move very quickly and we could look at legislation in less than a year if the Government sees it as important.”
Further news and views on the merger are in FC today