Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The member for Shortland and I do not agree on much, but one thing we do agree on is how outstanding Newcastle university is. I rise to support this government's higher education reforms proposed by the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. They give effect to providing opportunity to more students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and rural and regional areas. The bill introduces, inter alia, a range of measures to place Australia on the global map as a provider of world-leading university education. The reforms proposed within this bill expand opportunities for students by supporting more courses, which will provide greater diversity and higher skills to meet shifting job skills demand; increasing support for disadvantaged rural and regional students through Australia's greatest scholarship scheme; and ensuring Australian universities are not left behind at a time of rising performance by growing international university systems within our region and worldwide.

This bill also guarantees that our higher education system is sustainable into the future and that our third largest export, the $15 billion international education market, is protected and that growth is encouraged. These reforms are necessary to prevent Australian education institutions from being left behind. Our current system is outdated and if the status quo remains we will see Australian universities become uncompetitive with international institutions. Unfortunately, we are now seeing Australian universities declining in world rankings. In 2014, The Times higher education reputation rankings listed only five Australian universities in the world's top 100, compared to six the previous year. Five years ago there were no Chinese universities ranked in the world's top 200 universities. Today there are six. Higher education institutions require the flexibility to respond appropriately to increasing challenges, including student mobility, technological advancement and rapid innovation.

Many institutions have been frustrated by the restriction of regulation, stifling the development of creative means to compete with international providers. To secure the sustainability of our future workforce, Australia needs a diverse economy capable of adapting to global competition. These reforms will see our tertiary institutions afforded new incentives and opportunities to develop partnerships and encourage innovative courses which will deliver the skills and capabilities as demanded by local employers and industry.

Higher education has a vital role in our society as a catalyst of economic growth through educating and upskilling our future and current workforce, in addition to producing quality research. These reforms expand choice and opportunity and will strengthen this vital section of our economy.

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