Sue Lines (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the now Prime Minister's statement in relation to the 2014 budget when he said, 'I support the reforms to higher education.' Does the Prime Minister still support university fee deregulation?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think I saw on the television this morning that today is Groundhog Day. I think I did see that and I fear that we are today going to have Groundhog Day in the Senate that I anticipate will have the same kind of question from you as we had from Senator Wong yesterday. All I can say to you is the Prime Minister stands by all statements that he has made, as do all ministers.

Sue Lines (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Does the Prime Minister still support cutting more than $12 billion from university funding, as detailed in today's Parliamentary Budget Office report?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister supports all decisions of the government.

Sue Lines (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister confirm that the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook showed that the government has simply delayed its unfair and unnecessary higher education changes, not abandoned them?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think that is a gross misrepresentation of what the MYEFO says.