Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

All of us watching can see why Senator Hanson wants to talk about this obscure PhD thesis today of all days. My hope is the university sector is watching as well. If you are, here's my message: I'm against the cuts you're being asked to absorb by Minister Birmingham and the Turnbull government, but you are not making it easy for some of us to do this. Every time people see those seven-figure vice-chancellor pay cheques, they assume universities have money to burn. I know that you don't, but it's hard to cry poor when your pay is so rich. I'll keep fighting for you, but you need to help us out a little bit. You are going to have to show some pure sincerity here and think about a pay freeze or pay cut. Doing so wouldn't mean you're not good value for money. Think of it as a way to show you're committed to giving students even greater value for money into the future. You do that and I'll help you to continue to keep fighting for the students and the money that you receive from the governments.