First, building on valid, empirical evidence lies at the heart of the scientific endeavour and no James Cook University staff member has ever been asked to recant views based on objective science.

Second, JCU is committed to providing professional engineers to supply industry across the north and will continue to do so well into the future.

Indeed, the most recent graduate outcomes data show that our program has a 100% employment rate for new graduates, the highest in Australia.

As confirmed by the Head of the Engineering discipline, the Engineering group has never and would never oppose the development of dams as a matter of principle.

Third, the comparison of student numbers between JCU and CQU is based on a false premise.

CQU's total student numbers include students studying on very large campuses in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, many other campuses across the nation and externally.

So, to suggest JCU draws on a population of 800,000 while CQU draws on a population of 270,000 is wrong.

CQU draws from a much larger population, including those major metropolitan cities.

Furthermore, CQU is a Vocational Education provider as well as a University provider, and this may further distort any comparison.

Fourth, the comparison of CEO remuneration is incorrect.

Remuneration for both JCU's VC and CQU's VC are a matter of record in the universities' annual reports.

Finally, JCU makes an enormous contribution to the greater north Queensland.

In an external report, published last year, JCU was demonstrated to have contributed $827 million in economic impact to the broader north in 2016, with a 40% growth in regional economic impact since 2012.

In addition, JCU was shown to be responsible for 5450 full time jobs and contributed $513 million to household income in the north in 2016.

No other University comes close - and nor would we expect that they would.

JCU is the north's own University.

This is our place, a place that the University has served for almost 60 years and will continue to serve with pride for many years to come.

As the saying goes, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts.

Professor Sandra Harding,

Vice Chancellor JCU

It has been more than a century since the Anzac legend was forged on battlefields across Europe.

Amid the horrors that played out in theatres of war in locations which are now infamous, an enduring legacy was built around the spirit of mateship.

This concept of loyalty and sacrifice defines our national character. These same threads exist today and form the fabric of our society. Whether it be the First or Second World War, or more recent deployments to the Middle East or Afghanistan, one doesn't have to look too hard to see this commitment of looking out for each other.

The Salvation Army shares this same spirit of mateship today as we did serving our troops in the Boer War around the turn of the 20th Century. Whether a hot drink and a snack to sustain weary minds and bodies, or a listening ear and words of strength and encouragement for those most in need, the Salvos were there.

Today, whether in barracks or in the field on exercises, or serving on overseas deployments, The Salvos are still there...and always will be. Because that's what mates do.

Major Brett Gallagher

The Salvation Army's Chief Commissioner for Red Shield Defence Services