Mr MILLS - 1999-08-17
During the appropriation debate, he flagged that a review was being undertaken and that he was looking at future options for the Northern Territory Rural College. Has the review has been completed and, if so, what decision has been made?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his interest in this most important matter. It concerns, of course, a very important sector of the Northern Territory economy.
As honourable members would be aware, the Northern Territory Rural College has faced somewhat of a question mark in terms of its place in the delivery of rural training. It was appropriate at this time to review the focus of the Rural College and see where it best fitted within the overall scheme of things here in the Northern Territory.
We have had a series of detailed discussions with members of the council and with other stakeholders of the organisation, and a number of options have been looked at.. Cabinet has taken the decision that the Rural College will be merged with Northern Territory University.
This is a great step forward, opening many opportunities for the delivery of training in the rural Northern Territory and far beyond the rural area of the Territory itself. The decision is supported by industry. It has been taken in consultation with industry. One of the reasons it has taken some time to make an announcement was that we needed to explore the possibility with the university itself in terms of practicalities - whether this arrangement would work. All those explorations have come up trumps. I think it is certainly the way for the future.
Members may be interested to know that the value of rural industry production in the Northern Territory has doubled to around $358m in the last decade. Around 2400 people are employed in rural industries in the Territory, and rural industries provide much of the impetus in employment opportunities in regional areas.
The other thing that this will do is assist Northern Territory University to expand and also consolidate its delivery of services in the Katherine region. It will provide an extra focus by providing all training through one public provider. By merging our major public provider and our smallest public provider, we will achieve some critical mass in what we can do in rural training.
I commend all those involved, and very much thank those at the Rural College for their patience during a time of uncertainty. But, quite frankly, it was unacceptable for the status quo to continue. The world has moved on. I am sure the synergies of merging and working with Northern Territory University will provide the best outcomes for all people in the Northern Territory. I wish the combined organisation all the best as we progress down this track.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his interest in this most important matter. It concerns, of course, a very important sector of the Northern Territory economy.
As honourable members would be aware, the Northern Territory Rural College has faced somewhat of a question mark in terms of its place in the delivery of rural training. It was appropriate at this time to review the focus of the Rural College and see where it best fitted within the overall scheme of things here in the Northern Territory.
We have had a series of detailed discussions with members of the council and with other stakeholders of the organisation, and a number of options have been looked at.. Cabinet has taken the decision that the Rural College will be merged with Northern Territory University.
This is a great step forward, opening many opportunities for the delivery of training in the rural Northern Territory and far beyond the rural area of the Territory itself. The decision is supported by industry. It has been taken in consultation with industry. One of the reasons it has taken some time to make an announcement was that we needed to explore the possibility with the university itself in terms of practicalities - whether this arrangement would work. All those explorations have come up trumps. I think it is certainly the way for the future.
Members may be interested to know that the value of rural industry production in the Northern Territory has doubled to around $358m in the last decade. Around 2400 people are employed in rural industries in the Territory, and rural industries provide much of the impetus in employment opportunities in regional areas.
The other thing that this will do is assist Northern Territory University to expand and also consolidate its delivery of services in the Katherine region. It will provide an extra focus by providing all training through one public provider. By merging our major public provider and our smallest public provider, we will achieve some critical mass in what we can do in rural training.
I commend all those involved, and very much thank those at the Rural College for their patience during a time of uncertainty. But, quite frankly, it was unacceptable for the status quo to continue. The world has moved on. I am sure the synergies of merging and working with Northern Territory University will provide the best outcomes for all people in the Northern Territory. I wish the combined organisation all the best as we progress down this track.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016