Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

we have found the money to ensure that that vital scheme keeps going. We are already spending $9 billion a year on research across government—and I thank the Treasurer for his generosity—and we will continue to fund the NCRIS.

Do not take my word for it about why this reform is so vitally important. This is what Peter Beattie said about this vital deregulation reform:

Make no mistake, without funding reform, Australia's universities will inevitably slip towards mediocrity and the quality of Australian graduates will decline in relation to our international competitors, both in business and education. This means Australia will be greatly disadvantaged as graduates of other countries become better prepared for the knowledge-based jobs of the 21st century. In blunt reality, we will no longer be competitive.

On this side of the House, we will free universities to be competitive. On that side of the House, they will slam the door in the face of low-SES students.

See this speech in context