House debates Questions without Notice
Higher Education
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:46 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. In June 2014, when asked if he supported the government's first budget, the now Prime Minister said, 'I support the reforms to higher education.' Given that the Prime Minister was part of a cabinet that supported it and voted for it in the parliament, does the Prime Minister still support forcing Australians to pay for $100,000 degrees? Will the Prime Minister change the substance of the government or just the style?
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, but I think he has got his pack mixed up because it sounds almost entirely the same as the first one he asked. The reality, as he knows, is that we support all of our policies and all of our measures.
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Malcolm Turnbull Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
It is open to the Leader of the Opposition to criticise them, and he can use the procedures of the House to do so. But he would be better served, if he wants to inquire into the education policies of the government, by addressing his question to the Minister for Education for a greater level of detail.
Opposition members interjecting—
Tony Smith Speaker
Members on my left will cease interjecting.
Mr Fitzgibbon interjecting—
The member for Hunter is warned.