Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026

Senator O'SULLIVAN (Western Australia—Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) (10:27): The coalition will not oppose these amendments. They are transparency amendments in the same vein as the amendments that we proposed for sections 30 to 50 of the HESA, which were actually specifically asked for by the sector, and we are not opposed to that transparency.

The difference between these amendments, which the Greens are bringing forward, and the coalition's amendment on sheet 4036 is that the coalition requires transparency about allocation decisions at provider level and, unfortunately, these don't. Ours does more to provide clarity and prevent patronage; the Greens amendments don't do that. So, for all those that support these amendments and not the coalition's amendment, frankly, it's up to you to explain why you did not adopt the amendment that the sector specifically asked for, which provides greater transparency, and why you decided instead for this vague system-level publication requirement.

Question agreed to.