Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

The majority voted in favour of amendments introduced by the Australian Greens, which means they failed. These amendments are on the subject of: ATEC independence; research and research training; the expertise of ATEC Commissioners; the objects of the bill (i.e., the ission and role of higher education) and the Higher Education Standards Committee.

Amendment text

SHEET 3667

(1) Clause 4, page 3 (line 17), omit "if requested by the Minister".

(2) Clause 11, page 8 (line 27), omit "if requested by the Minister".

(3) Clause 11, page 9 (line 4), omit "if requested by the Minister".

(4) Clause 40, page 26 (line 6), omit "ATEC must give", substitute "ATEC may give".

(5) Clause 40, page 26 (lines 10 to 12), omit "and must be given at the request of the Minister and, in relation to the tertiary education system, the VET Minister".

(6) Clause 41, page 27 (line 4), omit "If requested by the Minister, the ATEC must", substitute "The ATEC may".

(7) Clause 41, page 28 (lines 7 and 8), omit "If requested by the Minister and, if the Minister is not the VET Minister, the VET Minister, the ATEC must", substitute "The ATEC may".

(8) Clause 41, page 28 (lines 22 to 25), omit subclause (3).

SHEET 3670

(1) Clause 11, page 9 (after line 25), after paragraph (f), insert:

(fa) to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister in relation to research and research training;

(2) Clause 41, page 27 (after line 6), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:

(aa) research and research training;

(3) Clause 42, page 29 (after line 14), after paragraph (2)(c), insert:

(ca) the extent to which the higher education system is delivering high quality research and research training;

SHEET 3672

(1) Clause 59, page 42 (after line 3), after subparagraph (a)(iii), insert:

(iiia) research and research training;

SHEET 3720

(1) Clause 3, page 3 (line 2), at the end of subclause (1), add:

; (h) to recognise the public-focused mission of higher education, the importance of academic freedom and the crucial role of higher education in developing knowledge and critical inquiry for the benefit of society.

SHEET 3728

(1) Clause 7, page 7 (lines 27 and 28), after "First Nations Advisory Committee", insert "and the Higher Education Standards Committee".

(2) Clause 25, page 16 (after line 9), after subclause (1), insert:

Higher Education Standards Committee

(1A) The ATEC must establish a committee to be known as the Higher Education Standards Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the ATEC in relation to its functions under:

(a) paragraphs 11(e) and (f) of this Act; and

(b) sections 58A and 58B of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011.

(1B) Without limiting subsection (4), in determining the membership of the Higher Education Standards Committee, the ATEC must:

(a) ensure the members collectively have an appropriate balance of professional knowledge and demonstrated expertise, including in higher education and in the development of standards relating to the quality of higher education; and

(b) ensure the members collectively have contemporary experience in the provision of higher education by registered higher education providers (within the meaning of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011); and

(c) have regard to the interests of the States and Territories, current and prospective higher education students, and staff of higher education providers.