Originally promised in 1994, when the Midland Railway Workshops closed, the university plans are finally falling into place.
Speaking in Midland last Thursday at a Swan Chamber networking function, Mr Barnett said there was an unfairness to the geographical layout of the tertiary institutions in Perth.
‘The Eastern Suburbs misses out, yet it is an area of rapid growth.
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READ NOW‘It needs a university so students are not forced to travel so far for their education,’ Mr Barnett said.
The Premier announced that the Federal Government and the Prime Minister were working closely with the WA Cabinet to secure the funding for the university.
‘Mr Abbott is on board and we are very close to securing an agreement on the university and federal funding,’ Mr Barnett said.
Curtin University has pledged $60 million to develop the campus.
Mr Barnett said it was possible the university would incorporate a teaching, business and engineering faculty as well as a medical faculty.
‘The fact is the shortage of doctors in Western Australia, particularly country towns, can be addressed by Australian doctors who could work in GP roles in WA towns and internships locally.
‘I am speaking to Tony Abbott directly on this issue and the funding of graduates and internships and we are getting there,’ Mr Barnett said.
‘It’s not 100 per cent but we are getting very, very close.’
Mr Barnett referred to the Eastern suburbs as the growth area of Perth.