The Western Australian government has expressed deep dissatisfaction with Deloitte following significant errors in a university merger feasibility study. Deloitte acknowledges using AI for research and editing but initially dismissed the errors as minor. The government is pursuing expedited cost recovery and a corrected report, while tertiary education minister Tony Buti initially downplayed the mistakes as typos before expressing anger and disappointment.
More than 300 students and staff marched on Parliament House in Perth to protest a plan to merge the University of Western Australia, Curtin and Murdoch. The government has set up a steering committee to examine the proposal, which would create the country's largest university. Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti said the merger would only proceed if the business case stacked up. The Liberal party has rejected the proposal, and the Greens are strongly opposed, so Labor would need at least three cross-bench votes to pass its legislation.
WA's Tertiary Education Minister, Tony Buti, says the government has not committed to merging the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University. He said the merger would go ahead only if the business case stacks up. Buti argued that students are receiving a poor education and that completion rates are too low. Curtin and Murdoch vice-chancellors, along with students and unions, have criticised the plan. Students and staff are expected to rally at Parliament House in opposition.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The West Australian Labor government is preparing a business case to merge Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of WA. A cost-benefit report, released this month, found positive net benefits from the merger. Murdoch University vice-chancellor Andrew Deeks argued it relied on flawed assumptions, while Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the university opposes a forced merger. The National Tertiary Education Union said most surveyed staff oppose the proposal.
WA Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti is pressing ahead with a plan to merge Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia. He says the merger would address duplicated courses, fragmented investment and limited scale. Curtin and Murdoch vice-chancellors have strongly opposed the plan, while UWA called it an opportunity. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas criticised a Deloitte cost-benefit report that contained errors. Deloitte has described the errors as minor and Mr Buti says he will ask the firm to return part of its fee.
The View From The Round House podcast features Martin Drum discussing several political topics. Topics include a proposed merger of UWA, Murdoch and Curtin universities in Western Australia, and a possible fracking ban in the Kimberley. The episode also covers Josh Frydenberg's possible return to politics, challenges facing Jim Chalmers as Treasurer, and Mark Butler's work on private health rebate changes. Editor Michael Barker hosts the discussion.
The Western Australian government wants to merge the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University into one large institution of almost 120,000 students. Premier Roger Cook says the merger would boost economic benefit, research funding and student outcomes. Curtin and Murdoch have voiced strong opposition, while the University of Western Australia has offered qualified support. A business case, led by a steering committee chaired by Mark Barnaba, is due by the middle of 2027. Student groups and a staff union have also raised concerns.
The Western Australian Government will develop a business case into a possible three-way merger of the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and Curtin University. The case will examine benefits, costs and the impact of a self-funded amalgamation. It will be prepared by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, with a steering committee led by businessman Mark Barnaba and medical researcher Fiona Wood. Premier Roger Cook said a world-class university system would help workers become job-ready. The government will consider the business case before making a final decision.
Staff unions and university leaders are opposing a WA government plan to merge The University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University into one large institution. A survey by the National Tertiary Education Union found 68.7 per cent of 936 staff opposed the merger, with 11.9 per cent in support. Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the cost of more than a billion dollars would not benefit Western Australians. Premier Roger Cook says universities need to grow to compete for research funding and students. A steering committee will prepare a business case before the government makes a final decision.
Curtin University's vice-chancellor, Harlene Hayne, has criticised the WA government's plan to merge Curtin, Murdoch and the University of Western Australia. She called the proposal a costly solution looking for a problem. WA Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti said the state's universities were in a race to the bottom, while the government argues a merged institution of around 120,000 students would boost competitiveness. A business case is under way, with findings expected by mid-2027. A survey by the National Tertiary Education Union found more than two-thirds of WA public university staff oppose the merger.
The Western Australian government is pursuing a business case to merge Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia. Premier Roger Cook says a merger would bring economic benefits, better student outcomes and more research funding. A steering committee is expected to report by mid-2027. Curtin's vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne has said the institution will vigorously oppose the plan, warning of higher costs and reduced choice. Murdoch and UWA have also raised concerns, while the opposition has questioned the cost to taxpayers.
