Establishment of Adelaide University

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:46): Final supplementary: the minister referenced the Labor Party's election commitment. Was the government's commitment—or the then Labor opposition's commitment—to hold a commission of inquiry into establishing a new university or was it to simply do it?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:47): I am sure most members would recall that the commitment was to establish a commission of inquiry. What eventuated after the election, as I understand it, was an approach by the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide indicating that they wished to progress the possible creation of a new university, essentially between themselves. Obviously, there is government support that is offered and provided, but that is what they were wanting to do.

As a result, our government put on hold the commission of inquiry given that was the stated desire, in terms of pursuing it under a different mechanism, from the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. It will be interesting to see whether those opposite, in particular, support the establishment of a new institution, if they support the opportunity to increase the capability here in South Australia, whether they are actually interested in the future of our state—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —or merely in its past.