Dr JENSEN (2:58 PM) —My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Would the minister inform the House how the government’s higher education reforms are increasing the quality and efficiency of our universities for the benefit of students, staff and the wider community? Are there any alternative policies?

Dr NELSON (Minister for Education, Science and Training) —I thank the member for Tangney for his question. He is a very strong advocate for Murdoch University. It was reported yesterday that three Western Australian universities, Edith Cowan, Murdoch and Curtin universities were engaged in dialogue with a view to a possible merger. It is important for us to understand that, as a country of 20 million people, we currently have 38 publicly funded universities and about 100 private universities in Australia. In order for us to offer high-quality, accessible education to increasing numbers of Australians, it requires increased money and the government has committed an additional $11 billion in public funding to universities over the next 10 years. I too congratulate Senator Len Harris for joining with the government benches in supporting these reforms.

Yesterday the vice-chancellor of Curtin University, Professor Twomey, in referring to this proposed amalgamation, said:

Mr Wilkie interjecting—

The SPEAKER —Order!

Dr NELSON —I advise the House and the member for Tangney that the government, as part of the reforms, has not only provided an additional 39,000 HECS or government funded places but also provided $145 million in performance funding specifically available for management reform—

Mr Wilkie —What have you got against Western Australia?

The SPEAKER —Order! The member for Swan!

Dr NELSON —course rationalisation, amalgamations and structural reform in the university sector. For example, it is well known—

Mr Wilkie —What have you got against Western Australia universities?

The SPEAKER —Order! The member for Swan is warned.

Dr NELSON —that when, on behalf of the government, 3½ years ago I started on the course of reform in Australian universities the then Northern Territory University offered 167 courses and 97 of the courses had fewer than five students enrolled in them. There were 20,600 units on offer in universities with fewer than five students enrolled and more than 4,000 with less than one student. The University of Newcastle, which is undergoing serious economic reform, has for the last three years offered 148 subjects that have not had a single student enrolled.

In the past I have also advised the House that the member for Leichhardt left school at 14 to clean toilets at the Mareeba train station to pay for the law degree for the member for Hotham. When he leaves the parliament, he is thinking about doing a university degree, and he has a lot to choose from. For example, he can do Paranormal at Griffith University. If he wants to, he can enrol in Scepticism at Griffith University. He can do Golf Course Management. He can do Surfboard Riding at Edith Cowan or Southern Cross. He can do Aromatherapy. But he tells me he is particularly interested in Make-up Application for Drag Queens at Swinburne.

The reality is that the average, everyday taxpayer expects the government to ensure that money invested in universities is invested efficiently and that there is reasonable management and structural reform. The future of higher education will look increasingly to these kinds of amalgamations.