Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for that question. I inform Senator Leyonhjelm at the outset that this is a decision of the Queensland University of Technology. I would trust and hope that, in the spirit of small government that Senator Leyonhjelm stands for, his question is not inferring that he would expect the government to intervene in such a decision of the Queensland University of Technology. I understand—and I thank Senator Leyonhjelm for a little forewarning on this—that in response to a university-wide survey undertaken several months ago, QUT staff indicated overwhelmingly that they would like their campuses to be smoke free, and that the university is responding to that sentiment.

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

I hear the concerns of Senator Ronaldson to my left. Obviously he will have to overcome the challenges should he visit QUT some time soon. The QUT Guild, which, as I understand, comprises elected student representatives, is of the same view as the staff of the university. However, I am advised that QUT itself has no intention or has not asked the guild not to sell cigarettes in its commercial outlets. As senators would be well aware, many public institutions, including a number of other universities, have moved in the direction of smoke-free campuses. This is their decision, but of course it is a responsible health decision in many instances. I understand that the Vice-Chancellor would be more than happy to welcome Senator Leyonhjelm to QUT to meet with staff and students to discuss their policy, if required. Obviously you will not be able to take Senator Ronaldson with you, Senator Leyonhjelm, given his concerns.

Universities are autonomous institutions, and this government would like to see them with even greater autonomy in terms of their administration, operations and activities. We are certainly not intending to interfere in the decisions of QUT in this regard.