A committee of Tasmania’s Legislative Council resumes hearings into the provisions of the state university’s Act on Wednesday

While the terms of reference are of generous width there was a focus last year on the university’s move into the Hobart CBD and property development plans for the Sandy Bay campus.

There is no witness list for this week but university management is yet to appear before the committee. If they do pad up this week officers will likely play straight bats, politely rejecting criticism and stating the case for the move, which VC Rufus Black has made against what is now years of fierce criticism by community opponents of the relocation.

It is about all they can do – construction and planning in the city is now too far progressed for the university to withdraw, at least without career ending humiliation and financial losses, which could well require state government funding.

It is unlikely this would bother opponents but it might alarm Premier Rockliff.