Women's Studies

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Education. Why is one of the oldest and most respected women's studies programs delivering masters and graduate diplomas facing further marginalisation at Flinders University? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms BEDFORD: Following reductions in 2018 and the diminution of seniority of staff, this vital program for local, national and international students, who go on to work for government and NGO sectors, faces further difficulties beyond COVID leading to lower enrolments and reduced resources, and a chicken and egg situation that leads to further marginalisation of an already marginalised majority of the population, which is women.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:17): I thank the member for the question and I note her ongoing interest in tertiary education in South Australia and, indeed, programs that benefit women in South Australia. As the member is aware, I am not responsible for management of the day-to-day activities at Flinders University. The Flinders University legislation that establishes the university and requires annual reporting to this house is under the auspices of the Minister for Education, but beyond that there are very limited day-to-day activities that I'm directly responsible for.

I will, out of an abundance of caution, check if the change identified by the member is in response to any changes in state government decisions or funding, but I suspect it is not. I suspect it is far more likely a decision that has been made by Flinders University management in response to what they see as their needs and priorities. That said, I indicate that I will be happy to assist, if this will help, in making inquiries of Flinders University, bringing to the attention of Flinders University management the question that the member has asked, and I will encourage them to respond to the member with any information that would be further useful.

As I say, I don't believe there is any decision I have taken or my agency has taken or my department has taken that is responsible for the decision the member has drawn attention to, but if there is I will also get back directly to the member.