Minister for Regional Australia and Regional Development Simon Crean has thrown his support behind the bid to create a dual sector institution through amalgamation of CQUniversity and CQ Institute of TAFE...

Mr Crean has endorsed that the $70 million structural adjustment bid designed to enable the amalgamation is worthwhile, but stressed it had to be assessed as part of a competitive funding pool and was subject to state and federal approvals.

Minister Crean with MP Kirsten Livermore and Professor Scott Bowman

"In my view, this is a terribly significant initiative and one that should be supported," he said.

LINK to Dual sector a win-win for regional Queensland

"If we are to tackle the skills shortage agenda .. we have to develop more flexible ways of delivering vocational skills ... a seamless pathway into skills needs for the region is very exciting indeed.

"If it works as we believe it will it (a dual sector institution) will save money. That's the importance of regional solutions, embracing it here..."

"Here because the University has integrated itself ... with its multi-campus capacity ... it is in the perfect position to take real advantage of the NBN network and rollout because they know how to deliver education and training at a distance and to do that creatively.

"The creativity that's involved and the ground-breaking dimension should put them in very good stead...The opportunity today to hear about what's involved to advance their case shouldn't be overlooked.

"(We've got an) economy in transition, a patchwork economy, the regions are the patches. How do we make the patches work better especially to address the national problems of skills shortages. This patch has got an answer, let's make it work."

Minister Crean fronts the media scrum 
Minister Crean with the VC, MP Kirsten Livermore and Mayor Brad Carter