I rise to speak to the Higher Education (General Provisions) Bill 2008. This bill is designed to repeal the Higher Education (General Provisions) Act 2003 and replace it with a new act so that we can remain competitive in the global higher education market. We all know that higher education is a significant Australian export. Indeed, when I was previously on the Queensland University of Technology Council it was an issue that was often discussed, especially in relation to the viability of universities when you factor in the substantial income that is derived from overseas students. In 2008, Queensland education exports are valued at $1.6 billion and higher education is the largest contributor to the sector. I am supportive of the national framework that will deliver comparable standards and protocols for delivering quality courses and degrees across the university sector. The new protocols will also allow for diversification of the tertiary sector, ensuring that new players can enter the market but with clear quality controls.

The bill also amends the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 to ensure that group training is effectively meeting its objectives. As we all know, group training organisations are an important contributing component of the state’s training and employment system and there are a number of excellent GTOs who work with local Glasshouse residents. The minister organised for an independent review to be conducted of GTOs to ensure that they could effectively address skills shortages in Queensland. This bill will ensure that larger employers who are not registered as a GTO will still be subject to a set of minimum national quality standards. I believe it is important to ensure that educational opportunities post school have standards that participants are aware of and that ensure they will be receiving quality training. I believe this amendment will achieve that.

Today I also want to put on record the work that has been done on the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE Caboolture campus and the Queensland University of Technology alliance. The Brisbane North Institute of TAFE and the Queensland University of Technology opened new facilities in Caboolture in 2007 in a multimillion-dollar shared university and TAFE campus. The campus provides shared learning spaces for QUT and TAFE and is one stage of a project that will include refurbishment of facilities to include a clinical laboratory and a campus library. Work is progressing on a purpose-built nursing building at the campus.

There are major benefits to be gained from Caboolture’s two main tertiary education and training providers sharing the one site. The shared campus provides students with more study pathways and opportunities to continue their learning journey locally. It is reinvigorating campus life in Caboolture, with nearly 1,300 students already enjoying the benefits of their expanded learning areas and opportunities. The co-location of the two institutions is typical of the state government’s forward-thinking and innovative approach to education and training in the Smart State.

It is important that the Caboolture shared campus managers work closely with staff of both streams to ensure that the educational outcomes continue to meet student needs and that staff are actively involved in decisions about campus course offerings and protocols. I will continue to watch our changing training and educational opportunities grow and develop, and I commend the bill to the House.