Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Carr for the question and for continuing the very constructive conversation we had over these matters during the estimates period. He is, as you know, always so very constructive in the estimates environment and this occasion was no different. I am sure my colleagues and Senator Back, who was chairing the committee, will agree with me on that matter. As we discussed extensively at estimates, the government's policies in relation to the changing of arrangements around higher education are designed to do a number of things; most importantly though, they are designed to ensure that Australia will be internationally competitive in the higher education space.

The policies are designed to ensure that students from areas such as those to which Senator Carr has referred through a number of mechanisms, including the sub-bachelor degree funding expansion and including support for institutions that provide those sorts of qualifications that are directed at students who may come from areas in Australia where it is not always easy to win or achieve on your first effort in a bachelor degree—exactly the sorts of students that Senator Carr was talking about. It is about spreading opportunity across Australia for students; it is about making sure that there are many more opportunities. And I think I have said in the chamber before—