Mr ADAMS (1:11 PM) —As my colleague the member for Bass has plainly explained, the Australian Maritime College has an excellent reputation for education and training. It covers a very broad area of training as well as specialising in some key research projects and it really deserves to continue its role as a maritime college. It does not comfortably fit into the University of Tasmania's mould or the mould of any other university that I know of. It really has its own specialisation and has been seen as very important in the training of mariners from all around the world. It pulls students from all over the South Pacific, New Zealand and other parts of the world and from the rest of Australia, and is hoping to expand this even further.

The honourable member for Macquarie spoke of some expert review committee that was set up to try to get the Prime Minister out of the words he used, which were to promise this college the status of university at the last election. Of course, it was an election promise to Tasmania and to this college which has now been broken by this government. It is really about the marketplace. This college needs to be able to draw students from all over the world to its courses, which are, of course, excellent. With the status of university it would be even more useful for marketing opportunities for this area and also for the smallest economy in the states of the Federation of Australia—that is, Tasmania. So it is not something flippant to be pushed off, like the member for Macquarie has done. It is a broken promise of this government to the state of Tasmania.

With full university status, we could lead the world with specific training for coastguard duties, which are so important if we are to maintain a safe and secure Australia. It would also mean that courses could be further developed for groups such as the water police, fisheries inspectors and search and rescue, all of which are part of the needs of Tasmania and the rest of Australia, and I am sure every state would benefit.

I note in fact that at the weekend our state minister for police, David Llewellyn,announced some changes to Tasmania's emergency services after a review. A maritime services and search and rescue section will be responsible for search and rescue, maritime assets management and volunteer liaison with groups such as the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, which does such a terrific job in Tasmania, and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. These require specialist training, and to ensure this move is successful the Australian Maritime College is well placed to help with the professional training of these groups. Their roles have gone beyond the training they can get through the state system, and it is important to have a system of training linking into university schemes and accreditation. It could also include courses that are linked with the Navy side of the Australian Defence Force Academy. Sea rescue is very much in the news these days. It is obvious that, although we have some very highly trained people now, the courses could be made more available in general rather than just for specialised parts of the forces.

The Australian Maritime College has been a very strong asset to Tasmania, and its graduates can be found all over the world. It makes sense to continue its good name by granting it university status. With that status it will attract more students and encourage more countries to participate in courses that will help protect their borders as well.

This government at the last election promised the AMC university status, which it has in pretty well everything but name. The government should honour that promise. It is a broken promise by this Prime Minister and this government to the state of Tasmania and to the people of Tasmania. It would be good for Tasmania, good for Australia and also good for all our allies and friends.