Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I am aware of some comment from the sector, both nursing and the medical sector more broadly, about the deregulation of the higher education sector. I have certainly listened to all of those concerns and those views. But this government believes that the appropriate way forward for the higher education system is through the deregulation package that we have put forward.

I understand that work has been done, as you have asked, around the impact on health. My understanding is that has been the case; if it is not, I will certainly come back to the chamber. But the important thing to realise here is that the coalition is absolutely focused on ensuring that we have a higher education sector that is sustainable and that can grow. In my dealings across the sector, including the regional sector, and around those issues of health, the deregulation of the higher education sector is indeed the most appropriate way forward.