Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Of course the policy is not a dud. The policy that we have put forward is a policy that looks to the long term, especially for our tertiary education sector. Unless the university sector gets with the program and understands its need to compete on the international level, Australian universities will be left behind.

I recall that when I thought about going to university there was one option open to me. That was the university of Tasmania. For my children, the option was universities in Australia. I suspect that if I am ever blessed with grandchildren their option will be universities of the world. Unless the Australian universities are competitive on the international front they will be put out of business by human movement. (Time expired)