Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023

The majority voted against amendments introduced by the Australian Greens, which means it failed.

Explanation of amendments

Statement pursuant to the order of the Senate of 26 June 2000

Amendments (1) and (2)

Amendments (1) and (2) are framed as requests because they amend the bill to expand the scope of demand driven Commonwealth supported places for Indigenous students to include non-research postgraduate courses of study.

The amendments would expand the categories of courses of study that are demand driven higher education courses and expand the circumstances in which Table A higher education providers must enrol students as Commonwealth supported students. This will have the effect of increasing the amounts payable to Table A providers for grants in relation to Commonwealth supported places under Part 2-2 of the Higher Education Act 2003 and increase the number of students who are Commonwealth supported students eligible for HECS-HELP under that Act.

The effect of the amendments would increase the amount of expenditure under the standing appropriation in section 238-12 of the Higher Education Act 2003.

Statement by the Clerk of the Senate pursuant to the order of the Senate of 26 June 2000

Amendments (1) and (2)

If the effect of the amendment is to increase expenditure under the standing appropriation in section 238-12 of the Higher Education Act 2003 then it is in accordance with the precedents of the Senate that the amendment be moved as a request.

Amendment text

Australian Greens' circulated requests for amendments—

That the House of Representatives be requested to make the following amendments:

(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 3), before item 1, insert:

1A Paragraph 36-30( 1)( aa)

After "undergraduate course of study", insert "or a demand driven higher education course".

(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 7), after item 1, insert:

2A Clause 1 of Schedule 1 (paragraph (b) of the definition of demand driven higher education course )

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(b) either:

*(i) is leading to a higher education award that is a bachelor degree or bachelor honours degree; or

(ii) is a non-researchpostgraduate course of study; and*

2119-EM

Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023