Higher Education Reform Bill finds favour in Senate Committee hearings

Key stakeholders from across the country have formally thrown their support behind the Government’s higher education reform agenda, particularly deregulation, during this week’s Senate Committee hearings into the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. Universities Australia, the Regional Universities Network, the Innovative Research Universities, the Australian Technology Network, the Group of Eight, the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, the Council of Private Higher Education plus individual universities, non-university higher education providers and individuals have again outlined the need for reform and the dire consequences of simply doing nothing. The Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed the discussion in hearings, which conclude today, and the various constructive suggestions for improvements to the reform package. “I am delighted that so many respected individuals and organisations have affirmed the importance of the legislation and supported its intent. “I have keenly listened to each of the submissions and the various suggestions for strengthening the reform package.” “The reforms will ensure Australian students can get the best higher education in the world,” Mr Pyne said. “The package spreads opportunity to more students, including disadvantaged and rural and regional students, equips Australian universities to face the challenges of the 21st century and ensures Australia is not left behind amid intensifying global competition and new technologies.” "I’m disappointed that the relatively few outright opponents of the reforms seemed to want to reimpose caps on the number of undergraduate students that would cut tens of thousands of students out of university who will be supported under the higher education reforms.” Group of Eight Australia: “The Bill represents a watershed in the history of higher education policy and financing in Australia. If the Bill is passed, in an appropriately amended form, it will mark the culmination of almost 30 years of policy evolution in Australia. (Submission 46). Universities Australia: “The Bill represents the most substantial change to Australia’s higher education system in more than thirty years.” (Submission 60). “…we have a choice. We can keep going as we are, where the demand for a quality university education continues to outstrip the capacity of the system to pay for it, or we do something different.” “The Senate is in a unique and privileged position to shape this key element of long-term structural reform and create a legacy.” (Opening Statement) Council of Private Higher Education: “Measures in this Bill will drive an efficient and globally competitive higher education sector.” (Submission 48). “This legislation expands opportunity and choice for Australian students, and I urge the Senate to listen carefully to the many voices calling for these major and urgent reforms to Australia’s higher education system, and their outright rejection of the status quo as unsustainable,” Mr Pyne said. Submissions to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee are available at http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Education_and_Employment/Higher_Education/Submissions