Column piece: CQ Today
It's been a busy few months in the lead-up to the federal election' and CQUniversity has worked hard – alongside our community and industry partners – to secure funding commitments for critical regional education and training infrastructure.
I'm thrilled that we secured at least three multimillion-dollar infrastructure commitments from each of the major parties; commitments that can make a real difference to future employment and broader economic outcomes in our regions.
Now that the election is behind us' I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his win' and the Labor Party for their commitment to several critical CQUniversity-led infrastructure projects.
In the lead up to the election' the ALP committed to a new CQUniversity campus in the Cairns CBD ($50 million)' upgrades and investment into the Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) in Gladstone ($15 million)' and the new Mackay Electric Vehicle and Energy Training (MEVET) centre ($9 million).
We can be extremely proud of our efforts in securing a total of $74 million in critical regional education and training infrastructure. The life-changing impact of these commitments will be felt in regional Queensland for years to come' in ways we can't yet imagine.
I look forward to working with the new government' the PM' new Minister for Education Jason Clare' and new Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor on ensuring people who live in regional communities have the same access and opportunities when it comes to higher education and training.
I also look forward to continuing to work with members across our campus footprint' including in the electorates of Capricornia' Dawson' Flynn and Leichardt.
Regardless of their party affiliation' I thank these members for their tenacity in the lead up to the election and look forward to continuing to build on the great relationships we have established.
We will soon begin working with the new government to finalise the funding for each project and commence capital works and operation. It is estimated that each project will begin within the next 12 months.
Before closing I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Albanese for committing to a referendum on adopting the recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This is a really important step for our country.
As a university' CQU has humbly accepted the invitation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to share the journey towards realising the powerful aspirations of the Uluru Statement.
We continue to stand in solidarity with First Nations people as this journey continues' and I'm delighted that we are now a step closer to the destination.
- Nick
