Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

As I understand it, the registration may set a capacity limit, but it does not require projections. We do not know how many students are going to enrol. There is a limit on capacity, but we do not have information about how many students are going to enrol. You are asking us to charge people on the basis of the number of students that they may enrol, but we do not know the number. That is the bottom line, so we do not see that we can agree to the amendment request.

I appreciate that you are trying to be constructive, Senator Rhiannon, but the amendment does not seem to us to be practical and we cannot support it. I would appreciate it if we could get the bill passed this evening, because I think that would facilitate the business of the Senate.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: The question is that Senator Rhiannon's requests for amendments, Nos 1 to 8 on sheet 7192, be agreed to.

Question negatived.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: The question now is that the bills be reported.

Question agreed to.

Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection Service and Other Measures) Bill 2011, Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Tuition Protection Service) Bill 2011 and Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Bill 2011 reported with amendments; report adopted.