It would be safe to say there would be a few nervous glances being thrown around at the University of Tasmania right now.
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There are just 14 days until Australians go the polls, and there’s still no word from the federal Liberals in regard to funding to support the relocation of Northern Tasmania’s Newnham campus to Inveresk.
As that July 2 deadline looms, there is growing unease and discontent from some circles, including the Launceston City Council, which has thrown the proverbial kitchen sink (and then some) in terms of support behind the project.
That growing nervousness prompted Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten to turn to the media yesterday to vocalise that anxiety.
Alderman van Zetten summed up the feelings of most Northern Tasmanians when he said: "This project is of huge importance to the future of Northern Tasmania.
"We think it is of the highest importance to have both major political parties committed to this project and we're hopeful for an announcement in the very near future,” he added.
Business leaders, teachers and principals, former politicians – as well as this media organisation – have been calling for bipartisan support for the $300 million project for months.
Labor Leader Bill Shorten backed the relocation with a $150 million pledge early in the campaign.
The ball has been in Malcolm Turnbull’s court since April 28.
Most people, including political commentators, assumed the Liberals would match the announcement soon after. That was 52 days ago … still nothing, which is why people are starting to get a little apprehensive.
The official line so far has been: “There will be more to say between now and the election”. But with some polling booths having already opened around the country, time is running out fast.
Not surprisingly, despite repeated hints from Mr Turnbull and his three Northern MHRs, people are starting to have doubts there will be funding at all – or whether it will be a reduced amount.
Some are ever speculating that any potential funding announcement may be aligned to a new bill on university deregulation.
Whatever the case, the people of Northern Tasmania deserve to know the future of what is potentially the largest capital investment in the region.
