Flinders University (Remuneration of Council Members) Amendment Bill

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:55): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Flinders University Act 1966. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:55): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

South Australian universities have an important role to play in the provision of outstanding higher education and world-leading research, both of which are essential to South Australia's ongoing prosperity and economic growth. Our universities also introduce thousands of students from around the world to South Australia and attracting more international students to study here in Adelaide is important for our local economy.

It is vital that South Australia has an education and training system driven by quality courses and student choice with training programs to ensure South Australians are job ready and able to capitalise on emerging industries here in South Australia. Our universities undertake this important work in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.

The government is seeking to amend the Flinders University Act 1966, at the request of Flinders University, to enable the council of the university to remunerate its members. Specifically, the bill will provide for the Flinders University council to make a determination to remunerate a council member. A determination of the council may fix different amounts of remuneration for different members according to the office held by the member or other factors.

The bill will disapply section 18C of the act so that council members will not be in breach of their duty in respect to conflicts of interest in relation to the making of determinations regarding remuneration. These amendments will put Flinders University on a similar footing to the University of South Australia. The University of South Australia has provision within its governing legislation to make statutes to set the terms and conditions under which the council members hold office. Many other universities across Australia also have provision for the remuneration of council members.

The amendments will ensure Flinders University continues to have access to the highest quality candidates for membership of its council. The government has consulted closely with Flinders University in developing these amendments. I commend the bill to members. The explanation of clauses is as follows:

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Short title

2—Amendment provisions

These clauses are formal.

Part 2—Amendment of Flinders University Act 1966

3—Insertion of section 7

This clause inserts new section 7 into the Act to provide that the Council of the University may determine that a member of the Council be remunerated.

Section 18C of the Act, which imposes certain obligations on members of the Council in the event of a conflict of interest, has been disapplied to the making of determinations in relation to remuneration.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Odenwalder.