Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Mason again. There are serious consequences. Without these reforms, some 80,000 students each year would miss out on Commonwealth support for their higher education places, meaning that either there would not be places for them or they would have to pay higher fees. Without these reforms, the unfair loan fees on FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP would continue. Without these reforms, many thousands of new parents would not have the benefit of the proposed HECS indexation pause. Without these reforms, the ability of regional and other universities to offer diploma and similar courses would be lost. Without these reforms, there would be no Commonwealth scholarships. There would be no higher education participation program scholarships. Without these reforms, there would be a range of losses for future students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. But, worst of all, without these reforms our universities would not be able to stay at the world-class standard they are and would face the constant threat that Senator Carr— (Time expired)