Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

It seems to us that it is unprecedented—in fact it is highly significant—that all of those representing our higher education institutions say that the present system is unsustainable, that it is in desperate need of reform and that there would be major benefits for students in reform. Universities Australia, in fact, have noted that opinion polling which they have commissioned shows a strong majority of Australians 'support the deregulation of university fees if the Senate makes important changes'. The Australian Financial Review has also recently argued that, with the huge growth in the number of students, and therefore a significantly higher cost to the taxpayer as well, these are reforms which are essential to maintain a high-quality university system which is open to all Australians. The Australian newspaper also has argued—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

that a deregulated system with a strong system of needs based scholarships would— (Time expired)