David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I can directly assist the senator. Higher education funding, including the total Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding for student places and regional loading, is going up under this government. Support for an uncapped number of diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees creates great opportunities for regional students and for universities. There is only one party, one side of this political debate, that supports regional Australia—and we are all sitting over here. That side have done nothing for regional Australia.

Deregulation allows regional universities to position themselves much more effectively and, may I say, attractively to do high-quality degrees with high student satisfaction, good employment outcomes and a great quality of life, at a fee that is—