Buti's legacy project emerges

Tertiary and International Education Minister Tony Buti has proposed merging three of Western Australia's public universities: Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia.

Buti's case for the merger

Buti and Premier Roger Cook say the merger will create a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Buti said it will ensure universities remain highly competitive, accessible and relevant.

“At present, we have duplicated offerings, fragmented investment and limited scale across our universities. We have an opportunity to address these challenges.”

Universities push back hard

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne said the merger solves problems the universities do not have and creates problems they do not need. Murdoch Vice-Chancellor Andrew Deeks labelled it nonsense.

“Cost, waste, and loss of choice, jobs and legacy will be the hallmarks of the planned merger.”

Deloitte report riddled with errors

A taxpayer-funded cost-benefit analysis prepared by accounting firm Deloitte was found to contain AI-generated errors. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said a university student would receive an F for submitting such work.

“A university student, if they handed this in to their lecturer, they would get an 'F'.”

Buti reveals private conversation

In parliament, Buti disclosed that Zempilas had told him months earlier that he personally agreed with a three-way merger and asked to stand by him at the announcement. Zempilas angrily denied the comments.

“My personal view is that I agree with a three-way merger.”

Buti demands Deloitte refund

On Thursday, Buti said he would ask Deloitte to return some of the money it was paid for the report. He said the errors were incredibly disappointing and should not have happened.

“It's incredibly disappointing. I'm angry with Deloitte. It should not have happened.”

Merger faces uncertain future

Despite Buti's efforts to contain the controversy, two of the three universities oppose the merger.The criticism may not be enough to stop him, but dragging unwilling universities into the arrangement poses a significant challenge ahead.