Murdoch University Act 1973

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —

means any form of accommodation (including, without limitation, a residential college, hostel, hall of residence or form of independent living); and

includes facilities that are —

ancillary to residential accommodation; and

primarily for the use of staff of the University, or students, or both;

the land described in certificate of title Vol 2812 Folio 355; and

any land vested in the University under section 28(1);

Any question arising as to whether a person is or is not a member of the academic or other staff, or an officer or employee of the University, shall be determined by the Senate and the decision of the Senate thereon is final.

There shall be in the State of Western Australia a university, to be called “Murdoch University”.

The University shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and an official seal.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the University —

may, in its corporate name acquire, accept, hold, deal with, charge, or dispose of real and personal property; and

is capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name and of doing and suffering all such other acts and things as bodies corporate may by law do and suffer.

All courts, judges and persons acting judicially shall take notice of the official seal of the University affixed to a document and shall presume that it was duly affixed.

The official seal of the University shall be kept in strict custody and shall not be used except in accordance with the direction of the Chancellor or as is prescribed by Statute.

The functions of the University include the following —

to provide courses of study appropriate to a university, and other tertiary courses;

to encourage and participate in the development and improvement of tertiary education to meet the needs of the community;

to undertake and support scholarship, pure and applied research, invention, innovation, education and consultancy, and to apply those matters to the advancement and application of knowledge —

to the benefit of industry, business and government; and

to the benefit and wellbeing of the Western Australian, Australian and international communities;

to commercially develop or commercially use, for the University’s benefit, any facility, resource or property (real or personal) of the University or in which the University has a right or interest (including, for example, study, research, knowledge and intellectual property and the practical application of study, research, knowledge and intellectual property), whether alone or with others;

to generate revenue for the purposes of funding the carrying out of its functions;

to serve the Western Australian, Australian and international communities and the public interest by —

enriching cultural and community life; and

raising public awareness of educational, scientific and artistic developments; and

promoting critical and free enquiry, informed intellectual discussion and public debate within the University and in the wider society;

to provide the facilities that are necessary or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the University and the performance of its functions.

The University has all the powers, rights and privileges that are reasonably necessary to enable it to carry out its functions.

The University may carry out its functions and exercise its powers, including the power to enter into business arrangements, within or outside the State.

The University may provide residential accommodation for staff of the University, or students, or both.

The restrictions imposed by section 29(1)(ga) do not apply to the lease of any part of the land referred to in section 29(1)(ga) if the purpose of the lease is the provision of residential accommodation in accordance with this section.

the Senate; and

such members of the academic and other staff of the University as are prescribed by Statute; and

graduates of the University; and

the students for the time being; and

such other persons, if any, as are prescribed by Statute.

The Governor is the Visitor of the University, and has the functions that Visitors usually have.

As Visitor, the Governor may act without obtaining the advice and consent of the Executive Council.