Due to the Gillard Government’s higher education expansion plan, universities can raise number of students starting from now.
According to the bill, the government is allowed to give a place for every promising student who is accepted by any university.
According to Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans, such a bill puts an end to bureaucratic control over universities as they are now empowered to accept as many students as they want. There is no need to hold negotiations with Canberra any longer.
At the same time while the Opposition claims that ministers are allowed to cap places in any field of study, Brett Mason, who is a spokesman for Liberal higher education, said that the coalitions backs up expansion of university places.
Professor Ian O'Connor from the Innovative Research University group called it "a major transformation in higher education funding" which would allow member institutions "to offer more opportunities and flexibility to students".
However, Lee Rhiannon , Greens education spokesperson, believes that universities do not receive enough money to meet increased demand caused by this legislation. She told the Senate: "The whims of the marketplace and consumer demand are not a steady framework on which to build a sustainable future".
