Fears are yet to be overcome regarding the effect a new federally-funded maritime technical college could have on the reputation of the Australian Maritime College.
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Northern Tasmania Development Corporation chair John Pitt said Defence Minister Christopher Pyne was yet to respond to a request by the Northern mayors to visit Launceston and the AMC.
“We have been actively lobbying for clarity around the future of the AMC with the announcement of a maritime technical college in South Australia,” he said.
“I am pleased that the City Deal acknowledged the Australian Maritime College as a globally recognised provider of maritime education, training and research.
“The Commonwealth have indicated they will continue the strong support of AMC through a defence science partnership and training contracts.”
But Launceston Deputy Mayor Rob Soward will discuss a plan with the city council on Monday to go a step further.
He hopes to see the City of Launceston write to Tasmania’s Liberal senators expressing dismay that the new $25 million dollar college may duplicate services offered by the AMC.
Alderman Soward wants the senators to secure a strong, written commitment from the federal government that the establishment of the new facility would in no way negatively impact on funding, staffing or professional status of the AMC.
“As we know the AMC is an internationally renowned facility, an examination of its enrolments will see enrolled students here from over 50 countries. It is a high quality, international leader in a variety of courses and projects,” he said in the council’s meeting agenda.
“In the world of academia and maritime study even a perceived diminishment of status can be catastrophic as potential students flock to a shiny, brand new well funded institution right on the doorstep of the newly awarded defence force ship building program based in South Australia.”
Alderman Soward said there was no justification for the federal government to duplicate the “outstanding national resource”.