Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (12:19): I rise to speak to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020. I want to be clear from the outset: the only correct cost of a student's degree is zero dollars. University staff, research and teaching should be protected. Our universities should be fully funded, and this bill achieves none of those aims. This bill is cruel. This bill is punitive. This bill is an irredeemable mess.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Centre Alliance has cut a reprehensible deal with the Liberals to support a bill that raises university fees, cuts funding and punishes struggling students.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Centre Alliance has chosen to sell out students, young people and our universities.

“They’ve bought the government spin, hook, line and sinker. They should be ashamed of condemning generations of young people to decades of debt.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt says the Morrison Manufacturing ‘plan’ is being used as a cover for a raft of failed neoliberal ideas, from union bashing to corporate welfare to weakening environmental protections.

Greens Education spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi pointed out a massive contradiction in spending on manufacturing while cutting TAFE, higher education funding and research and development - critical to any country’s efforts to innovate in manufacturing. 

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the Education Minister’s announcement the Commonwealth will fund 12,000 more student places for 2021 is a last-minute scramble to drum up support for unpopular university fee hikes and funding cuts.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Universities need a guaranteed, long-term funding boost, not a cynical injection of last-minute cash as the disastrous job-ready bill hangs in the balance.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi has said a report of the government-dominated Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee into the Job-ready Graduates legislation is flawed and highly partisan.

The inquiry process was highly problematic, with a 22-day total inquiry period, only two days of hearings, and with no time allowed for discussion on Greens amendments to the report.

Senator Faruqi said:

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said she was proud to speak at and attend heavily-policed student rallies at the University of Sydney today, which were organised in opposition to the federal government’s proposed university fee hikes and funding cuts.

Senator Faruqi said:

“I was so proud to stand with students and staff in opposition to these terrible fee hikes and funding cuts.

“Unfortunately my speech was cut short by NSW police moving us on.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the latest Child Care Recovery Package, announced today, is yet another band-aid which does little to heal the wound. A long-term plan is needed for this essential service.

Senator Faruqi said:

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the first day of the Senate Inquiry into the Job-ready Graduates legislation has revealed widespread criticism and sector dissatisfaction regarding the package.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Liberals have sensationally backed down and sent their university fee hikes and funding cuts legislation to a Senate inquiry.

This followed a Greens motion on Tuesday which showed Labor, Greens and crossbench support for an inquiry.

Senator Faruqi said:

It's good to see that the government has seen some sense in having an inquiry. But you have been dragged kicking and screaming to the table, embarrassed with your tail between your legs.

Honourable senators interjecting—