More than two-thirds of WA university staff oppose merging three universities
Premier Roger Cook says universities, not taxpayers, should pay if a merger case stacks up.
The Western Australian government is building a case to merge the University of Western Australia, Curtin and Murdoch. The merged university would be a rare, huge university with almost 120,000 students.
The National Tertiary Education Union surveyed 936 university staff in WA between July and September. Among those surveyed, 68.7 per cent opposed a merger and just 11.9 per cent backed it.
Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said she cannot see how spending more than a billion dollars would benefit Western Australians. Premier Roger Cook backs the plan, saying universities must grow to compete.
Mr Cook said that if a merger case stacks up, universities, not taxpayers, should foot the bill. A steering committee will oversee a business case.
The government will consider it before any final decision.
Why it mattersOpponents warn a merger would bring cost, waste, and a loss of choice and jobs.
AustraliaNo final decision has been made, but any merger would reshape the Western Australian public university system.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 h ago
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