The Liberals’ reckless plans to block the UTAS move to the CBD will rob Tasmanians of the opportunity to study at world-class science and technology facilities and train for the jobs of the future.

By freezing the university’s biggest asset – its vacant, unused land above Churchill avenue – the Liberals will leave the university unable to fund its $500 million science and technology facility.

Science, technology, engineering and maths skills are vital for the economic development of Tasmania. Tasmania already has a shortage of people with the required STEM education and skills, which makes the Liberals policy even harder to understand.

A wonderful example of the benefits of modern educational facilities sits on Hobart’s waterfront, with our world-leading Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies already contributing enormously to Tasmania.

The IMAS building opened around 10 years ago and since then the number of students studying marine and Antarctic science with the university has more than tripled.

That’s what the new science and technology facility the Liberals and Greens are trying to block could deliver for our state too.

Labor stands for safe, secure, well-paid jobs – and that means investing in our future workforce through education.

The university plans to take our STEM facilities from some of the oldest in the country, to among the best will give our best and brightest a reason to stay in Tasmania – not because they’ll have to, but because they’ll want to.

Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years