Page 792 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 13 April 1994
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University of Canberra Council
MR CORNWELL: My question is to the Chief Minister. I refer to an article in the 9 March edition of Monitor, the magazine of the University of Canberra, which reads:
At its February meeting, the University Council was joined by two new members, Ms Cheryl Vardon and Mr Howard Powell. Both members were appointed to Council by the Chief Minister of the ACT, Ms Rosemary Follett.
I ask: What caused your change of heart, Chief Minister, on such appointments following your stubborn two-and-a-half years delay? When can we expect nominees to be put forward to the ANU Council? Thirdly, do you not believe that it is discourteous to this Assembly, considering that there is a motion on the notice paper relating to the delay in these appointments, that members were not advised of your action in relation to the University of Canberra nominees?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Cornwell for the question. I would say at the outset that I have had no change of heart. Indeed, it has been my consistency in this whole matter that has led to the delay, which I fully acknowledge. Members will be aware that the tertiary institutions in our Territory do allow for nominees to their boards by the Chief Minister. In relation to the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of the Arts, there is no restriction on these nominees. They can be from any walk of life. In relation to the Australian National University, there is a restriction that no members of this Assembly may be appointed to the ANU Council. I consider that restriction to be highly discriminatory, an insult to the sovereignty of this Territory and totally inappropriate. I wrote a long time ago to the relevant Federal Minister asking him to amend the ANU's legislation to remove this highly discriminatory clause. In the event, my request was denied. I maintain my view that that clause in the ANU's legislation is inappropriate. As far as I am aware, they seek to exclude no other category of person whatsoever, except the duly elected members of this parliament. It is totally inappropriate.
Nevertheless, in the course of seeking a change to the ANU's legislation and being denied such a change, considerable time elapsed. Once I had been denied that change, I moved relatively swiftly to make the appointments. Rather than add to the divisiveness of the situation by appointing members of the Assembly to some bodies and not to the ANU, I considered it appropriate to make all appointments from the broader community, and I have done that. The members of the University of Canberra Council have taken up their positions. I have given consideration to nominations to the ANU Council, and they will be taking effect very shortly, as is the case in relation to the Institute of the Arts. I regret that it has taken such a long time. I still do not consider the matter satisfactorily resolved, because I totally disagree with the restriction in the ANU's legislation against members of this parliament taking a position on the council.
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