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

I thank Senator Ruston for her question. Whether it is CQ University, the University of New England or the University of Wollongong, all of their leadership are talking about the benefits to regional and other students that are going to flow from these initiatives. The Regional Universities Network, the leadership group in this area, has said: 'The network welcomes the announcement in the budget of an ambitious target of reform for higher education which recognises the importance of the sector to Australia. The Treasurer and the minister are to be congratulated for highlighting the important role universities play in Australia's future.' That is what is important to us. We have also supported the Commonwealth Scholarships program which will provide major support with living costs for regional students—often a real barrier to their engagement and involvement. The quality indicators for teaching and for learning and the student and employer surveys, which are part of this balanced package, will help regional universities sell themselves. The regional students and the universities are going to benefit from our support in a number of other ways, including research. (Time expired)