Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

Mr CLARE (Blaxland—Minister for Education) (18:36): I'm sorry to disappoint the member for Berowra and the member for Wentworth, two individuals in this chamber that I hold in very high regard. I thank you for your thoughtful contributions in this debate. The national tertiary education objectives in the bill were recommended, as the shadow minister pointed out, by the Universities Accord Panel.

It's actually recommendation 1 of the accord—to set a clear vision for the tertiary education system. It's an objective for the whole system and the role that it must play to support Australia's resilience, fairness and prosperity. The changes proposed in this amendment appear to set an objective for the ATEC itself rather than for the system, and the government is not in a position to support this amendment.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Dr Freelander ): The question is that the opposition amendment be agreed to. A division is required. In accordance with standing order 133, the division is deferred until the first opportunity on the next sitting day.

The debate on this item is therefore adjourned until that time.