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

The government also will not be supporting this amendment. I refute the allegations from Senator Henderson regarding the leadership that Minister Clare has provided in regard to antisemitism on campuses. Concerns of how the SSAF can be committed are unfounded. It is yet another example of fearmongering, and we're accustomed to that from those opposite. Section 19-38(4) of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 provides a list of things that SSAF can be put towards—things like providing food and drink, sporting activities, caring for children, promoting health and welfare of students, and so on. It does not provide for protest.

The legislation also includes requirements of providing and collecting SSAF. These are the same legislative requirements which have been in place since 2012. There are no changes to eligible activities. Providers must comply with the legislation. If they don't then the Department of Education can take compliance action.