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Ley urges “community gain not cash grab” on Robinson College
17-September-2009
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Ley urges “community gain not cash grab” on Robinson College
The possible loss of one of Broken Hill’s most important institutions, Robinson College was raised in Federal Parliament today.
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said that the reported sale of the facility by its legal owner, Charles Sturt University is an issue of great concern to her constituents in Broken Hill. Ms Ley outlined the very important role that Robinson College plays by providing short education courses in a community college setting, allowing people to learned valuable skills in areas such as computing, business administration, machine operating tickets and workplace safety.
“The future of education which has been provided by this college to Broken Hill is under threat.”Ms Ley said
“This facility was built by the University of NSW with the £100,000 (the full cost of buildings) plus the land on which it was built donated by the Zinc Corporation. Some years on, University of NSW on-sold Robinson College to Charles Sturt University for (apparently) the princely sum of one dollar.
“I understand that Charles Sturt University has put a price tag of $1.5 million on the College and it is up for sale.
“If that is correct, this is an outrageous money grab by the University and in turn the NSW State Government.”
“This has always been a community facility always, built for the community. It is a disgrace that the residents of Broken Hill who cannot possibly afford $1.5 million are now being forced to try to find that sort of money to buy the facility.
“I wrote to the Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University in July and just after my speech to Parliament I received an emailed response. Unfortunately the response does not address the very real prospect of the sale, nor does it give any indication of the university’s intention; it merely assured me that Broken Hill residents would continue to have a range of educational options”
“That is not the point here. The University and the NSW State Government have no right to sell this facility. It should be handed to over the community, in its entirety, under a charter that ensures that community education is secure for all”.
Ms Ley urged Charles Sturt University and the NSW Government to embrace the community interest rather than grab the cash.
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Media contact: Debbie Brown (02) 60213264 0428 297 699