The merger of South Australia's two biggest universities should go ahead as it will advance the state's economic and social interests, a parliamentary committee has found.
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While it identified significant opportunities, a report tabled on Tuesday recommended a slate of measures to increase oversight and reduce risks posed by the move.
But the legislation sealing the deal still has a final hurdle to clear.
The Labor government requires two more upper house votes to pass the legislation finalising the merger of the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia, meaning it needs only court either the Liberals, the Greens or SA Best.
Greens education spokesman Robert Simms and shadow education minister John Gardner penned dissenting reports rejecting the majority view.
Neither the Greens nor the Liberals have ruled out supporting the bill's passage, as long as proposed demands to amend the bill are met.
Mr Simms criticised the secrecy surrounding the merger process and called on the universities to make the business case public.
"Given the significant investment of public money and the key role that universities play in our state, it is only appropriate that the full business case for this merger plan be made public," he said.
"When we are talking about public money, surely the public has the right to know. Universities are public institutions, not secret societies."
A recent report by the Australia Institute found 86 per cent of South Australians wanted the business case made public amid growing concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability at the nation's largest tertiary institutions.
Mr Simms also has reservations about what the merger means for the student experience, job security and changes to university governance.
Mr Gardner said the Liberals saw significant upside in the move for the SA economy but flagged additional concerns he wants addressed.
The risk of integrating two major institutions with differing cultures and the potential to distort the broader higher education sector caused him particular unease.
"If this goes badly and the university's desired increased income doesn't work out, then it could be a disaster," he told ABC Radio.
The committee, which ran from August to October, heard the merger could provide more funding for productive research and give SA vital skills needed to deliver the AUKUS program.
But it also heard some staff had concerns it could precipitate a major exodus of top staff, damaging the reputation of the institution.
SA Best MP Connie Bonaros has been contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
