By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
NARRE Warren South MP Judith Graley has defended her response to the impending closure of Monash Berwick, after she came under fire from a Casey Councillor and a Liberal MP.
After much speculation the fears of Monash Berwick students were realised this month with the announcement that the university plans to cease teaching at the campus prior to the end of 2018.
The matter was raised in urgent business at last Tuesday’s Casey Council meeting by Mayor Sam Aziz, who described the closure as a “massive kick in the guts”.
Sharing his own opinion with the chamber, Cr Gary Rowe slammed Ms Graley’s response to the Monash announcement, saying she was “walking away from a tough decision and not saying one word”.
And he said young people would now vote for someone else because of Ms Graley’s “inaction”.
The comments from Cr Rowe, who served as a Liberal MP in the Kennett Government, followed a statement released by Gembrook MP Brad Battin on 9 March in which he criticised Ms Graley for being “silent” on the Monash issue.
He said questions must be asked of Ms Graley’s time served on Monash University’s Advisory Council in 2013.
“Ms Graley must also answer questions about her time on the university’s advisory committee – did she advise on or support the closure of the Berwick Campus?” Mr Battin said.
Ms Graley hit back at the comments this week, saying they were “wrong” and that she “has never lacked courage or shied away from hard work”.
“Unlike some councillors at Casey, every day I work hard to ensure that every child gets the best possible education opportunities,” she said.
“I have also wanted every student in my electorate to have the chance to go to university.
“That’s why I have always maintained that Monash should have a local presence at Berwick.”
In a consultation paper provided by Monash University to the Star News, the decision to close the Berwick campus is attributed to a low level of enrolments.
Vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner broke the news to staff at a meeting on Monday 7 March, followed by an email to the student body later that day.
In the email, she told students that Monash would continue to explore options for the future use of the campus with other education providers, but as yet negotiations had been fruitless.
Students enrolled at the Berwick campus will still graduate with a Monash degree, and staff will be offered transfers to other campuses at equivalent levels and conditions.
As well as a consultation process, Monash will require government approval in order to close the campus.
Members of the community who wish to provide feedback should email chancellery@monash.edu prior to 31 March.
