House of Representatives

Second Reading Speech

Dr NELSON (Bradfield-Minister for Education, Science and Training)

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Mr Speaker, Australia's higher education sector will benefit from a record $7.8 billion investment from the Australian government in this year's 2005-06 budget.

The government's continuing commitment to the university sector will provide students with better facilities and more course options across a range of campuses.

The bill now before the House is a clear expression of that commitment to higher education, as it will honour two important election commitments for new places and capital funding.

As part of a range of new initiatives and to reflect Australia's global expertise in many academic fields-such as tropical sciences-this bill contains additional funding to ensure that our universities remain at the forefront of new skills developments.

Recognising the importance of tropical sciences, the Australian government is providing $26 million to James Cook University for veterinary science and tropical agriculture. The House should understand that the direct advocacy of the members for Leichhardt and Herbert have contributed to this extraordinary and significant outcome.

Earlier this year the government allocated infrastructure funding of $12 million over two years towards a new veterinary science school at James Cook University's Townsville campus with a link to the Cairns campus. The new facility will fulfil all of the normal functions of a veterinary school, but in addition will provide a unique focus on tropical animal husbandry and diseases. The new school will play a role in developing preventative measures and early detection of diseases in livestock.

This bill now before us also provides funding for 50 new places to establish a new undergraduate degree program in veterinary science at the school from 2006. These places will provide opportunities to students, particularly in rural and regional Australia, and ensure that Australia has veterinarians with expertise in tropical animal diseases.

Funding for 50 new places will also be allocated to create a new undergraduate degree program in tropical agriculture, giving graduates expertise in tropical plants and exposure to vital research in areas such as sugarcane production.

These 100 new places in veterinary science and tropical agriculture commence in 2006 and will rise to 274 places by 2009, at a cost of $13.9 million.

Expert understanding in tropical animal diseases and in tropical agriculture is vital to Australia's national prosperity. New diseases can have devastating consequences across the nation. Equally, breakthroughs in the production of plants that thrive in a tropical climate can boost crop production and the livelihoods of many Australians, particularly those in rural and regional communities.

It is essential that Australia continues to develop expertise in these fields. The new veterinary science school and undergraduate courses will help position James Cook University as a leader in teaching and research in veterinary science and tropical agriculture and will further enhance Australia's international reputation in these fields.

These measures are a reflection of the Australian government's commitment to providing the communities of North Queensland with greater opportunities in education and research.

The other vitally important election commitment delivered through this bill relates to new capital infrastructure funding for the University of Western Sydney. Teaching, research and student facilities at the university will be enhanced through an additional $25 million over the next three years.

In 2006, $7 million will be provided for the development of a medical training facility at the Campbelltown campus. The new medical training facility will complement the existing wide range of health science disciplines offered at the Campbelltown campus, including occupational therapy and medical science.

The facility will also complement the university's proposed new medical school, to which the government committed $18 million in the 2004-05 budget. This brings the government's total contribution to the medical school to $25 million. The new medical school will enhance and improve the teaching hospital capacity and the delivery of health and medical services in western and south-western Sydney. It will also provide opportunities for local students to study medicine in their own region.

In addition to the medical training facility, $2 million will be provided to the University of Western Sydney for an upgrade of research and training facilities at the Hawkesbury campus. The Hawkesbury campus is a national leader in plant, agricultural and food systems research and in the teaching of courses related to these activities. The funds will assist the university to purchase a state-of-the-art environmental electron microscope, which will be uniquely adapted for agricultural and food systems research and which will significantly enhance the university's capacity for performing high-level biological analysis. The funds will also help to upgrade critical teaching infrastructure, with particular emphasis on horticulture, food science and agricultural sciences.

The government will also provide $9 million towards the establishment of a new building for teaching at the university's Parramatta campus. The university also has a strong record in teaching health and human service professionals, including at the Parramatta campus. The new teaching building will greatly expand the current capacity of the Parramatta campus.

A further investment of $7 million will assist with construction of a new library at the university's Penrith campus. The funding will provide library services for staff and students and expand the library services available for the benefit of the broader Penrith community. The library will also enable the university to use existing space to consolidate its visual and performing arts into a new creative arts precinct on the campus.

These initiatives reflect the Australian government's ongoing commitment to building better and stronger communities and providing education opportunities in Western Sydney.

The bill will also amend the maximum funding amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and maximum amounts for transition funding under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988, to reflect indexation increases.

The bill will enhance the quality of our higher education system and the choices available to students. It reflects the Australian government's strong commitment to ensuring that Australia's higher education sector continues to play a vital role in our economic, cultural and social development.

Full details of the measures in the bill are contained in the explanatory memorandum that has been circulated to honourable members.

I commend the bill to the House and present the explanatory memorandum.