Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the Sandy Bay campus site was “gifted” by the people to the University of Tasmania in 1951. Photo: UTAS.
Tasmania’s Labor Opposition is moving against government legislation that prohibits the sale of the University of Tasmania’s old grounds in Sandy Bay.
Backing the Liberal Government are the Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN). The unique coalition wants the old Sandy Bay campus to remain for educational purposes as the university transitions to Hobart’s CBD.
Greens Leader Vica Bayley cited a 2022 poll of Hobart City Council electors, which came out with almost 75 per cent of voters opposing moving the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to the capital city’s CBD.
“The Sandy Bay campus, transferred to the university in 1944 by the Tasmanian Parliament, should be maintained for educational purposes,” said Mr Bayley. “Tasmanians need a university with certainty and focus, not a property developer gambling with public land and borrowed money.
“Independent analysis of the 2023 UTAS Annual Report has raised numerous concerns about financial stability, borrowings and direction of the university and the Greens are receiving regular, unsolicited contact from staff and students worried about the academic rigour and student experience being offered.”
Mr Bayley went on to declare the Tasmanian Greens’ support for the academic institution, “despite many internal and external challenges”. He also noted the recent recognition of UTAS as a global leader for higher education in climate action.
Tasmania’s Labor leader Dean Winter MP said the party’s position on “well-paid, safe and secure jobs” could be achieved through the university’s transition to the Hobart CBD.
“In all, $700 million worth of construction activity will have been completed in Hobart by the end of next year,” said Mr Winter. “The Forestry building will open in 2026 for over 3000 staff and students.
“The move puts education into the heart of our capital city. It builds world-class facilities in a more accessible location for all southern Tasmanians. It will revitalise the city and rebuild our state’s education assets.”
Mr Winter called the Liberals’ legislation stopping UTAS from selling or leasing assets an “embarrassment” that would result in “freezing the university’s assets, and preventing any development on its vacant land in Sandy Bay”.
“Having been Education Minister for most of the last decade and watching UTAS commence the move of over half the university into the city, [Premier] Jeremy Rockliff suddenly decided he would intervene to stop it.
“It is the worst of cynical politics and awful policy that will place our university at serious financial risk and scare investors away.”
The Labor leader said the Premier’s plan would prevent the construction of almost 2000 new houses, UTAS’ $500 million STEM facility and “irreparably harm Tasmania’s reputation as an investment destination by pulling the rug out from under a development process the government has supported for the best part of a decade”.
Premier Rockliff said Labor’s opposition to his party’s policy “betrayed the people of Hobart”.
“They refused to state a position on UTAS during the campaign because they were fearful of the electoral backlash,” he said. “Only now, comfortable in opposition and with four years until they face the voters, have they revealed they will defy the will of the overwhelming majority of residents of Hobart.
“The government has a very clear election mandate to implement this policy, noting Labor did not oppose it during the campaign.”
The Tasmanian Premier said the legislation struck the right balance between protecting the public interest and allowing the university to get on with its business.
