David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—at the request of Senator McKenzie, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) congratulates Central Queensland University on its partnership with TAFE [technical and further education] and notes, a number of universities have forged partnerships with regional TAFEs to develop:

(i) new courses,

(ii) new regional university centres,

(iii) pathway programs in areas relevant to local regional industry, and

(iv) pathways to higher education; and

(b) recognises that further expansion to higher education access for all students, whether studying at universities, TAFEs or private colleges, will provide a further boost to regional economies by ensuring:

(i) greater student accessibility to higher education,

(ii) a more skilled regional workforce, and

(iii) the opportunity for education institutions to expand and thereby employ more people and invest back into the local community.

Question agreed to.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opposition is voting against this motion because it does not actually reflect what is happening within higher education. While some elements of the motion are clearly worthy of support, it does not reflect what is happening particularly in regard to the research community.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Bushby on behalf of Senator McKenzie be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells rung—

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I am seeking clarification. I have been advised that the mover of this motion amended it this morning and it is not in the form in which it was circulated yesterday. Can I clarify whether or not that is the case and that the references to the demand-driven system have been removed?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The mover of the motion was Senator Bushby, but it is Senator McKenzie's motion. For the purpose of clarification, Senator McKenzie, would you like to clarify whether or not the correct version has been circulated in the chamber with the correct amendment?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The motion was amended last night prior to the adjournment and all the appropriate paperwork has been filled out. So I am assuming that would have been dealt with at cross-party whips.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My understanding is that it has been amended pursuant to standing orders. That was done last night, and it has been amended in the Notice Paper.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on that basis, we wish to cancel our request for a division.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have not asked the Senate to divide, so there will be no division required. For absolute clarity I will put the question again—that is, that the motion moved by Senator Bushby on behalf of Senator McKenzie be agreed to.

Question agreed to.