The State Government maintains that “doing nothing is not an option” as it explores a university merger business case, with the Premier suggesting the universities will have to foot the bill for the change.

Press PLAY to hear Harlene Hayne discuss why taxpayers will ultimately pay for the merger.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne, leader of Western Australia’s largest university, told 6PR Mornings host Simon Beaumont that it is the federal government that funds the universities, warning that the amalgamation risks limiting student choice and driving local talent interstate.

“I do find it very unsettling that students in Western Australia are not going to have the kind of choices in the future that their counterparts in other states will continue to have. And I am very concerned that our best and brightest in Western Australia will migrate somewhere else”, Hayne said.

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