Mr WOOD - 2009-10-22
There appears to be ongoing instability at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, and there are rumours flying around at the moment that there are to be many staff retrenchments. Could you please say if this is the case?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very important question. The Territory government is working with the Australian government on issues around the Batchelor Institute. It is an educational facility of great importance in the Territory. Whilst the institute is established under Northern Territory legislation, it is jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Australian governments. A significant majority of the funding for Batchelor is Australian government funding.
Following a financial audit by the Australian government in May this year, and the placement of a strategic manager for three months, a company called KordaMentha were appointed as administrators for Batchelor Institute. KordaMentha has the task of liaising with government and the Executive Council of BIITE to find a sustainable way forward, and that work is currently being undertaken.
I understand KordaMentha will be in a position to make some strong recommendations to both governments by the end of this year. At this stage, I am not in a position to advise this House on any final recommendations because they have not been made available to me. I believe they are still working through the issues with the Executive Council of BIITE to find a sustainable way forward for what is an important educational facility in the Territory. It is important for all of us, the Territory government, the Australian government, and the Executive Council of BIITE, to focus on the best interests of the training and education of Indigenous people. That is at the forefront of the work that is being done at the moment - what is in the best interests of training and education of Indigenous people, getting better outcomes, making sure Batchelor Institute is sustainable; and that work is being undertaken. I commit to providing a full report to the House once the report has finally been delivered and governments have considered the report.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his very important question. The Territory government is working with the Australian government on issues around the Batchelor Institute. It is an educational facility of great importance in the Territory. Whilst the institute is established under Northern Territory legislation, it is jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Australian governments. A significant majority of the funding for Batchelor is Australian government funding.
Following a financial audit by the Australian government in May this year, and the placement of a strategic manager for three months, a company called KordaMentha were appointed as administrators for Batchelor Institute. KordaMentha has the task of liaising with government and the Executive Council of BIITE to find a sustainable way forward, and that work is currently being undertaken.
I understand KordaMentha will be in a position to make some strong recommendations to both governments by the end of this year. At this stage, I am not in a position to advise this House on any final recommendations because they have not been made available to me. I believe they are still working through the issues with the Executive Council of BIITE to find a sustainable way forward for what is an important educational facility in the Territory. It is important for all of us, the Territory government, the Australian government, and the Executive Council of BIITE, to focus on the best interests of the training and education of Indigenous people. That is at the forefront of the work that is being done at the moment - what is in the best interests of training and education of Indigenous people, getting better outcomes, making sure Batchelor Institute is sustainable; and that work is being undertaken. I commit to providing a full report to the House once the report has finally been delivered and governments have considered the report.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016