Deakin University refutes land transfer claims

Deakin University today refuted claims that it had transferred land to the international IT company Satyam. The University was responding to statements made by Victorian Opposition Leader, Ted Baillieu, on the Jon Faine program on 4 August, that the State Government had handed over 10 hectares of Deakin University's land at its Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds to the IT company.

Mr Graeme Dennehy, the University's Chief Operating Officer, said "No land has been transferred to Satyam. Deakin University remains in possession and ownership of the land. Had Mr Baillieu contacted me, I would have been happy to tell him this."

Mr Dennehy said that the University would be disappointed if the Geelong project did not proceed. He said "Deakin is committed to advancing the interests of Geelong where it has two campuses. The aim of the project is to provide significant new employment for Geelong along with a range of opportunities for the University to enhance its teaching and research. The State Government is to be commended for its commitment to attracting new businesses to Geelong. Inevitably, not every arrangement comes to fruition, but it is vitally important to the future of regional communities that these initiatives are pursued."