Hon Speaker, hon members, there have been concerns emanating from the higher education sector about what they consider to be the centralisation of too much power in the hands of the Minister, which could result in the erosion of institutional autonomy.
As Azapo, we have seen a bit of that with regard to previous pieces of legislation. We do not see that in this Bill. While we fully support institutional autonomy, we believe that public higher education institutions have to account for money that comes from the taxpayer.
University councils cannot be a law unto themselves. They have to abide by the statutes of their institutions and the laws of the land. The Bill introduces measures and steps that the Minister has to follow when giving directives. The Bill also gives more power to the independent assessor.
Azapo is satisfied that the powers given to the Minister are not unfettered; they are subject to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and other laws. Azapo also supports the restriction of council members who were implicated in wrongdoing in dissolved councils being appointed to other institutions.
Azapo will therefore support the Higher Education and Training Laws Amendment Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]