House debates Questions without Notice
Higher Education
Russell Matheson Macarthur, Liberal Party
2:27 pm
My question is to the Minister for Education. Will the minister inform the House how the government's higher education reforms will allow our universities to compete domestically and internationally. Why should competition not be an end in itself?
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I am pleased to get a question from the member for Macarthur on higher education reforms because I can tell him that our higher education reforms will create a great deal more freedom in the university sector in Australia—
Mr Watts interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Gellibrand is reminded that there is a general warning in place.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
allowing them to compete not only domestically amongst themselves for students but also compete internationally against those universities in Asia that are ever improving the quality of their offerings. So not only are we protecting a $15-billion a year international education market but we are also giving our Australian students a great deal more opportunity to go to university. In fact, should our reforms be passed, 80,000 more young Australians will get the opportunity to get a higher education qualification by lifting the demand-driven system cap that currently exists for sub-bachelor degrees and by expanding the Commonwealth grant scheme to non-university higher education providers.
The fact that competition is good for the uni sector has been recognised by that Paul Wellings, the vice-chancellor of Wollongong University.
Mr Champion interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Wakefield is reminded of a general warning.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
He writes 'after all those years when the sector was controlled by volume and price, we should be celebrating the chance to do it differently'. So the uni sector gets it, and this government gets it: more competition is good for students, more competition is good for diversity and will allow our universities to compete.
But I am also asked by the member for Macarthur: should competition be an end in itself? Most people would agree that while competition is good, it can be taken too far. Some people call the member for Grayndler and the member for Maribyrnong 'the people's choice versus the factions' choice'; but at the moment they are being a bit more like the mongoose and the cobra. If you read this morning's Australian you will see what Troy Bramston has written there; he talks about their politics being those of absolute disunity. Disunity is death in Australian politics.
Jenny Macklin Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: relevance.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I was making the point that the university sector gets that competition is good for higher education; it is good for students and it is good for them to have the opportunity to compete with their Asian counterparts and amongst each other. But I was also making the point that competition can be taken too far when it becomes so destructive as it has—so poisonous—between the people's choice and the faction's choice. It becomes very destructive. I was shocked to see that it said—
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I would remind those on my left of a general warning. Those who are speaking may like to leave.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
Albanese is undermining Shorten's focus on policy, strategy, presentation and party reform. I thought: 'What else is there?' What is he good at—carrying the drinks? Handing the coats?
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order: as much as the member deserves some credit for this very long bow, he is defying your ruling.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. The minister, as I said, will return to the question.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I will, Madam Speaker. The only bows the member for Grayndler is interested in are the ones that carry arrows into the back of the Leader of the Opposition, unfortunately.
In this week of anniversaries—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Under standing order 91, he either obeys your ruling or he does not. At the moment he is not.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The minister will return to the question and refrain from using inappropriate terminology.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I will, Madam Speaker. Most of my time has gone, so I am happy to conclude my answer.
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. He should withdraw.
Christopher Pyne Sturt, Liberal Party, Minister for Education
I am happy to withdraw if it assists the House. I am not quite sure what I am withdrawing but, if it makes the House happy, I withdraw.