Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

On your amendment, Senator Pocock, I indicate the government will support these amendments. We believe these amendments are for a more targeted measure which conforms with the existing protections for students under the higher education legislation protection. In terms of the point you make about support for other programs, we do understand that it is important for the government to support other programs. I suppose the point with this is that it is linked to HECS, and that is why there needs to be a university course attached to it. That is why this program is focused on HECS and the courses that would be associated with that through higher education providers, but I do understand your point about support for other programs that are important as well and can generate economic opportunity and jobs as a result.