Bill Debate · Second Reading

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Thursday 5 February 2026

Continued from Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to steward the tertiary education sector. Government members argued the commission was essential for integrating vocational and higher education, while Opposition members criticised it for adding unnecessary bureaucracy and ignoring the independent sector. Independent members supported the commission in principle but raised concerns about student debt and the need for greater independence from ministerial direction. The sole speaker in the final segment supported the bill for addressing skills shortages and improving system coordination before the discussion was adjourned.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Julian Leeser (Berowra) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Leeser opposed the bills, arguing they established an unnecessary regulator in an already overregulated sector. Leeser criticised the national tertiary education objective for omitting references to teaching, learning, and research, instead focusing on vague concepts like social development and environmental sustainability. Leeser cited widespread criticism from stakeholders, including universities and independent providers, who argued the legislation was poorly drafted and failed to address the needs of the broader tertiary sector. Leeser moved an amendment to note concerns about over-regulation and call for thorough scrutiny.

Government response

Andrew Giles (Minister for Skills and Training) ALP Scullin

Giles supported the bills, stating they implemented key recommendations from the Australian Universities Accord to strengthen links between vocational and higher education. Giles highlighted the role of ATEC in breaking down barriers between sectors and supporting pathways for students, citing examples of successful partnerships between TAFEs and universities. Giles noted that the interim ATEC had already begun foundational work and that the legislation would formalise its role in guiding long-term policy and funding decisions. Giles emphasised the government's commitment to increasing tertiary attainment to 80 per cent of the working-age population by 2050.

Tim Wilson (Goldstein) (Liberal Party) Liberal oppose

Wilson argued that the bill added bureaucracy without addressing core issues like classroom sizes and qualification inflation. Wilson claimed the legislation failed to focus on learning, teaching, and research, and instead imposed Canberra's agenda on universities. Wilson stated that universities needed clarity and freedom to innovate rather than additional regulatory oversight.
Julie-Ann Campbell (Moreton) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Campbell supported the bill, highlighting Labor's investment in higher education and the implementation of Universities Accord recommendations. Campbell outlined ATEC's role in monitoring progress, setting pricing approaches, and distributing funding to align with student needs and workforce demands. Campbell emphasised the commission's focus on equity, First Nations representation, and strengthening connections between vocational and higher education.
Monique Ryan (Kooyong) (Independent) Ind mixed

Ryan supported the establishment of ATEC but criticised the bill for failing to address the student debt crisis caused by the job-ready graduates scheme. Ryan argued that the commission lacked sufficient independence to provide impartial advice on student contributions and urged the government to reduce maximum student contribution amounts. Ryan called for the commission to be fully equipped to reform the sector and tackle the cost-of-education crisis.
Carina Garland (Chisholm) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Garland supported the bill, noting its role in driving growth and fairness in the tertiary education system. Garland detailed ATEC's functions, including drafting mission-based compacts, providing independent advice, and publishing annual reports on the state of the tertiary education system. Garland highlighted the commission's transparency measures and its focus on improving access for disadvantaged groups.
Dai Le (Fowler) (Independent) Ind mixed

Le acknowledged the government's efforts but argued that the bill did not go far enough to address equity issues for disadvantaged students. Le criticised the job-ready graduates scheme for creating a debt trap and called for the commission to confront this legacy directly. Le emphasised that the success of the bill should be measured by whether students in disadvantaged areas could afford to complete their degrees without being crushed by debt.
Claire Clutterham (Sturt) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

lead

Clutterham supported the bill as a means to implement recommendations from the 2024 Australian Universities Accord final report. Clutterham argued that the new commission would provide necessary leadership and coordination to address chronic shortages in skilled professionals. The member emphasised that the commission would focus on policy development, funding allocation, and mission-based compacts. Clutterham stated that the body would work collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure the system meets national needs.