Matt Shanahan demands update on TU engineering PPP and OECD work
Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the minister for updates on the long-promised School of Engineering at the newest technical university and on OECD-drafted TU lecturing and academic career contracts. He sought clarity on whether a PPP build contract has been signed, the expected delivery schedule, and when the OECD work will go to cabinet and to unions for sign-off.
Regional science gateways
He noted that his region contains three of the four most scientific gateways in the country - the SIEM, the PMBRC and the Walton Institute - and thanked the minister for efforts to progress research funding for a new CT X-ray, saying progress was being made.
School of Engineering PPP questions
Shanahan reminded members that a School of Engineering was originally promised in 2004 for the newest technical university. He asked whether a build-up contract has been signed for the PPP development and, if so, what the expected delivery date and schedule to completion are.
TU lecturing and academic career contracts
He referenced an April update in which the minister had said the OECD was involved in drafting new TU lecturing and academic career contracts. Shanahan said he understood the OECD had completed that contract work and asked when the proposals will go to cabinet and to unions for discussion and sign-off.
Requests for ministerial response and next business
He asked that the minister, or the minister summing up, address those two points when responding. The session then moved on with Deputy Neil Smith called to speak next.
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Minister, as you know, I come from a region of the country which has three of the four most scientific gateways in it, the SIEM, the PMBRC and the Walton Institute. I would like to thank Minister Harris. I know we are trying to further some research funding there to a new CT X-ray and I think we are making good progress in that area. But can I ask maybe you, Minister or Minister Harrison, if you are summing up, if you would address just a couple of things for me, please. One is in relation to the newest technical university in the state. We have been waiting for a long-awaited School of Engineering going back to 2004 was the original promise to give that. It is to be built under a PPP and can you outline whether a build-up contract has been signed for the development of that structure yet and, if so, what is the expected delivery date to completion, the schedule to completion, if you please? And secondly, Minister Harris advised in April that he was looking at the TU lecturing and academic career contracts and that the OECD was essentially now part of this process in writing these up and forming new contracts. So, the Minister had advised that he was due to come to cabinet and to the unions to discuss this. I am of the understanding now that this contract work has been completed by the OECD. And again, Minister, could you give us an update on where that process is at, if you please, and when that is due to go to cabinet and we will be signed off. Thank you, Deputy Sharan. Deputy Neil Smith, please.
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