PM Transcripts

Press Statement No. 523
June 1975
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE
The Prime Minister, the Hon. E. G. Whitlam, has
confirmed the Government's decision, announced on 10 June 1975,
to establish an Australian M aritime College to provide
education and training for officers in the Australian
maritime industry and to site it at Launceston.
The decision results from a report on " Training
Requirements for Sea-going Personnel" from Mr Malcolm Summers,
who is the Royal Commissioner inquiring into various aspects
of the maritime industry. The report was tabled on 11 July 1974.
Launceston was chosen because the College needs to have
practical training facilities at a seamanship centre-including
a jetty, boat repair sheds, boats, liferafts and periodic access
to a small training ship. It needs to be situated close to
sheltered water with good access to the sea.
Launceston has these requirements and its proximity to
Bass Strait is a decisive consideration.
The Government accepts the recommendation of Mr Summers
that the College should be based on a requirement of 300 student
places, with provision for future growth. The Government accepts
the recommendations that the College should be situated close to
a tertiary institution, which may need to be developed further
than the existing advanced education facilities in Launceston.
Library, hall of residence and some other facilities could, by
arrangement with the-Tasmanian Government, be available for joint
use with Tasmanian tertiary students. The Committee investigating
post secondary education in Tasmania will be asked to recommend
the manner of this association.
The College will educate deck officers, engineer officers,
radio officers, and provide for higher studies including nautical
science degree qualifications, for which at present Australian
seafarers are forced to go overseas.
The College will be comprehensive. It-will be a college
with predominantly tertiary level studies with associated courses
at a level appropriate for seamen and fishermen and including
practical training in safety, fire fighting, and life saving.
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