An Australian Portia Assumes the Education, Science and Training Portfolio. (January 27, 2006)

    The federal member for Curtin, Julie Bishop, was sworn in today as the Minister for Education, Science and Training and Minister for Women's Issues. The short summary of Ms Bishop's qualifications below is taken from the the information sheet on the parliamentary website

LLB (Adel).

Advanced Management Program (Senior Managers) (Harvard Business School).

Barrister and solicitor 1979-98.

Managing partner, Clayton Utz, Perth, WA 1994-98.

Chair, Town Planning Appeal Tribunal of WA 1994-98.

Senate Member, Murdoch University from 1997-98.

Director, Special Broadcasting Services Television 1997-98.

Director and Fellow, Australian Institute of Management 1997-98.

We have no idea of the contents of the Prime Minister, John Howard's Letter of Charter to Ms Bishop and she may well not be as forthcoming as her predecessor, Brendan Nelson, who told his audience at the Chalmers Oration at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide on July 17, 2003:

When you become a Cabinet Minister, the Prime Minister writes you ... a Charter Letter. It sets out the Prime Minister's expectations of what you will do and what will be the priorities for you in your portfolio. [I]n relation to Universities, [it] said that I should understand and enunciate the importance of higher education to the Australian community, and I should continue to progress workplace relations reform in the sector.

Dr. Nelson certainly left something to be desired so far as he should understand and enunciate the importance of higher education to the Australian community but it would be hard to fault his zealotry with respect in continu[ing] to progress workplace relations reform in the sector.

In her public statements during the few days after her promotion to the federal cabinet was announced she has been the epitome of circumspection. But for those who dissect and microscopically analyse quotes she did inform The Australian, "I hope to continue some of the initiatives and policies he has put in place; a number of them do need bedding down and that will be a challenge, but I'm certainly relishing the prospect of being in that role."

Perhaps Billy Crystal should be called in to Analyze That.

Certainly what is clear is that the new minister for DEST has no science background and so far hasn't mentioned research, scientific or otherwise, as of concern, while she has made a point of telling The Australian that she was thrilled to take charge of education, which had long been a passion of hers. "I believe education is a life-long process: it starts with our children at an early age and it ought be a life-long commitment."

In short it's far from clear how she perceives the role of universities in the fabric of the nation. It will be interesting to see if Ms Bishop, who has a reputation of being feisty, even combative, when challenged is prepared to enunciate it and how she interacts with the likes of Gavin Brown, Margaret Gardner, Ian Chubb, Denise Bradley, Glyn Davis, Janice Reid and Steven Schwartz.

And it may be wise for the vice-chancellors to recall the effective use of the law Portia made in vanquishing her adversary:

At a Venetian court, the Duke presides over the sentencing hearing of Antonio wherein Shylock intends to cut "a pound of flesh from Antonio's breast" since the due date has past and that was the terms of the bond, even though Bassanio offers him 6,000 ducats for repayment. The Duke, and Portia try to dissuade Shylock, to no avail. Yet, Portia points out that the deed calls for no blood to be shed and exactly one pound to be taken, lest Shylock be guilty of not following the bond himself. Shylock, realizing this is impossible, recants and simply requests 9,000 ducats. Portia then reveals that Shylock is himself guilty of a crime; namely, conspiring to kill another citizen, i.e. Antonio. As punishment, the Duke and Antonio decide that Shylock must give half his belongings to the court; keep the other half for himself and promise to give all his remaining belongings to his daughter and son-in-law (Lorenzo) upon his death; and become a Christian.

If Minister Bishop assumes the role of as formidable an adversary as Portia, the university sector will be in increasing difficulty, but if she chooses to be its advocate there just may be some hope, but she will have to persuade Mr Howard and many of her senior cabinet colleagues.