Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
The Hon Melissa Price MP
Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology
Member for Durack
The Coalition Government will establish a new Regional University Centre in Broome to offer Kimberley region students the support and modern facilities they need to undertake tertiary education.
The Regional University Centres program removes barriers for regional and remote students to access quality education opportunities by providing study spaces, video conferencing, computer facilities and internet access, as well as administrative, academic and wellbeing support for students studying via distance at any Australian university or vocational education and training provider.
Minister for Regional Education, Bridget McKenzie, said the Coalition stands up for regional Australia and believes all Australians should have access to a quality tertiary education, regardless of where they live.
“This centre will significantly boost higher education outcomes for the people of Broome and Kimberley region,” Minister McKenzie said.
“People in regional Australia are less than half as likely to complete a university degree compared with people in cities. Regional University Centres are helping communities across Australia to reverse this trend.
“Once this centre is up and running local students won’t need to leave home and relocate to study.
“They will be able to enrol in a university course and complete a degree or another tertiary qualification and their skills could stay in the region and help the community.
“The new centre has the potential to change education outcomes in the Kimberley for the benefit of future generations, which is part of the Coalition Government’s plan for a stronger future.
“Our Government is investing almost $20 billion in higher education in 2022 – this is 32 per cent higher than under Labor.
“Regional University Centres supported more than 2,400 students across Australia in 2021 to undertake higher education, many of whom would never have considered this if it wasn’t for these facilities.
“A student’s ability to access a high-quality education should not be determined by their postcode.”
Liberal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, said she was very excited by this announcement.
“I have had a long and strong commitment to ensure there are more Kimberley education options for locals so they can live, work and study in their communities,” Ms Price said.
“I am thrilled that my advocacy for this facility has come to fruition and believe Susan Grylls and the Pilbara Universities Centre team will do a great job developing the new Kimberley Universities Centre, working together with Kimberley locals,” Ms Price said.
“We will then have a universities centre which is truly dedicated to the north west which can drive the development of our own workforce.
Only a Coalition Government will continue to deliver a better future for Broome and the Kimberley region, and this is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
The Centre will be operated by Pilbara Universities Centre and is one of eight new centres that will be established around Australia as part of an investment of up to $14.8 million.
The new centres will complement the existing 26 centres currently operating in all Australian states and the Northern Territory under the $102 million Regional University Centres program.
The Centre will open in January 2023.
Media contact:
Minister McKenzie – David Edghill | 0477 417 516 | David.Edghill@infrastructure.gov.au
Minister Price – Rosemea Crane | 0427 587 395 | rosemea.crane@aph.gov.au