WA Minister Tony Buti pushes three-university merger amid AI-flawed report controversy

Western Australia’s Tertiary and International Education Minister Tony Buti is moving forward with a proposed merger of the state’s three public universities—Curtin, Murdoch and the University of Western Australia—promising greater scale, reduced duplication and economic gains. The plan has drawn sharp criticism: Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne and Murdoch vice-chancellor Andrew Deeks denounced it as wasteful and harmful to jobs and legacy, while UWA stayed neutral but called it an opportunity.

A Deloitte-commissioned cost-benefit analysis, intended to justify the merger, was found to contain multiple AI-generated errors, prompting opposition leader Basil Zempilas to label it “AI slop.” In parliament, Buti cited a private conversation with Zempilas suggesting support, which Zempilas later denied. Treasurer Rita Saffioti hinted at further scrutiny, and Buti said he would seek a refund of part of Deloitte’s payment. The controversy highlights tensions between the government’s legacy ambitions and concerns over higher-education autonomy and fiscal prudence.