Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. On Sunday, the government made a clear threat to the jobs of 1700 scientists across the country for its own political purposes. Today the government has announced a backdown on its shameful attempt to hold science hostage. Is this another chaotic decision from an incompetent government?

Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is clear evidence that this government is determined to be as cooperative and as constructive as it can be in working with crossbenchers to get this important reform in the national interest through our parliament. That is what it is, Madam Speaker: it is evidence of our determination to do what we can to bring about this important and necessary reform which is supported by John Dawkins, the architect of the modern university system. It is supported by Peter Beattie, a former premier of Queensland and candidate at the last election; it is supported by Maxine McKew, a recent Labor member of this House. What we want to do is to liberate the great universities of our country to be even better. We want opportunity to be spread; there will be some 50,000 scholarships given to disadvantaged students under the reforms that we have proposed. This is a good package, and, as a result of the announcements by the Minister for Education earlier today, there should be no impediments whatsoever to this reform being considered on its merits. The merits are great, and it should be supported by members in another place.