Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the excellent Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham, representing the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister outline to the Senate the alternative proposals to ensuring opportunity for students in higher education?

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

I thank Senator Sinodinos for that question—a very important question, because there are now in Australia two very different future approaches to higher education funding and support for this country. Two very different approaches.

One is an approach that builds on a legacy of reform in Australia that has created the higher education system we have today, and which will position it well for the future. It is our policy. It is a policy on this side that puts confidence in the capability of Australia's 41 universities to be able to chart their pathway—the best pathway possible—to be able to create opportunities for Australian students and the Australian economy, versus the alternative that has now been outlined by those opposite, which is one of 'government knows best'. It is one which would roll back the reforms of the last couple of decades and that would take back the reforms of the Gillard government that opened up opportunity in Australia's higher education sector.

On our side we are progressing with important nation-building reforms when it comes to our higher education capabilities. We will increase opportunities for disadvantaged students; increase the pathways for people into university; and support, through Commonwealth subsidies, places for sub-bachelor degrees that have never been supported before and which are not covered for support by those opposite. We will create a new Commonwealth scholarships system, creating more opportunity for people—especially from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This stands in stark contrast to the approach of those opposite, whose model, it appears, wants to go back to the days of caps on university places and an approach that focuses on completions that will ensure they drive out of the system those from the most disadvantaged areas of Australia and which will reduce the opportunity for those they pretend to support— (Time expired)

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate of the consequences for students of reimposing caps on student places or controls on universities?

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

Indeed, we have heard from Senator Carr, Mr Shorten and the Labor Party in the last week that apparently what they stand for is the introduction of 'compacts' with Australian universities. Well, let's detail what a 'compact' actually looks like. A compact, of course, would be Senator Carr and Canberra—a bureaucracy—saying to Australian universities, 'You can only take this many students in these particular subjects.' It would be a complete reregulation of Australian universities. It would fly in the face of what Ms Gillard claims was one of the proudest achievements of her government: the uncapping of student places, the opening up of opportunities.

What we want to do with our reforms is build on that uncapping so that we actually have the opportunity for universities to continue to expand access—and access beyond and below that bachelor degree level. That is what our reforms do; Labor's would recreate 'Moscow on the Molonglo', as it has been called, with Senator Carr determining all that happens. (Time expired)

Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate of support for higher education reform?

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

There is not enough time in 60 seconds to outline all of the areas of support for our government's higher education reform package. Universities Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the government on this—

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Really?

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

with 40 of the 41—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my left!

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

vice-chancellors supporting reform. But do not just listen—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

If those opposite do not want to listen to the universities and they do not want to listen to—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr!

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

Senator Carr needs to calm down or he will pop a button on his waistcoat.

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

If they do not want to listen to the university sector, perhaps they could listen to the Labor figures: John Dawkins, Maxine McKew or Peter Beattie, who said today in The Australian:

… without funding reform, Australia’s universities will inevitably slip towards mediocrity and the quality of … Australian graduates … will decline in relation to our international competitors …

This is the Labor Party speaking and advocating for reform. Why doesn't the modern Labor Party get on board and support it? (Time expired)