Internet Uni report must be released and accreditation removed
13 December 2000
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has called on Dr David Kemp, the Commonwealth Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, to publicly release the report of the committee which found that Norfolk Island’s Greenwich University does not meet the requirements for inclusion on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) register. The nineteen and a half month process highlights the need for a more efficient and systematic approach to future cases.
The NTEU has also called on Minister Kemp to honour the resolution of the Ministerial Council of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs from April 1999:
\"that if the committee established by the Commonwealth advises that Greenwich University does not meet the academic and resource criteria for recognition as a university, the Commonwealth minister will take immediate steps to consult with the Territory of Norfolk Island so that legislative recognition of Greenwich as a university is removed by repeal or appropriate amendment.\"
\"After over 18 months of waiting for the report, the least Dr Kemp can do is make it public\", Ted Murphy, NTEU National Assistant Secretary said. \"It is imperative that Dr Kemp commence discussions with the Norfolk Island government immediately so that we can move forward and concentrate on developing robust procedures for the future.
\"While the decision about Greenwich is important, the big issues are the adequacy of existing structures in accrediting Australian universities and the willingness of the Federal Government to protect our reputation as a nation with a high quality education system. We cannot continue with an ad hoc system which takes so long to determine each case.
\"Dr Kemp stated in Parliament that Greenwich is open to reapply for inclusion on the AQF register via audit by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). Accreditation is not the job of the AUQA, it’s the responsibility of state governments. This is another example of Dr Kemp trying to dodge the issue.
\"The fact that Dr Kemp chose 11:54pm on the last sitting day of Parliament for the year to acknowledge receipt of the report suggests that he is less than eager to act on these issues. It is time for Dr Kemp to act decisively to protect the reputation of Australian education.\"